Isabella's experience of school placements...
Welcome and thank you for visiting webpage! I am a current third year university student studying Primary Education. I am really enjoying my university experiences over the years especially having the opportunity of taking part in the placement of a school. Below you will find my personal experiences of being in the classroom throughout my placements in different schools.
YEAR 1: In my first year of teaching, it was generally an observation round of placement where I was placed in the same school for both semesters for a total of 5 days and in class with the prep/ones in semester one and 4/5/6's in semester two. Being first year, it was a great experience and eye opener as to what I was actually going to be going as I hadn't really returned to a primary school (while classes were operating) since leaving primary school myself. I had the great experience of witnessing co-teaching between the mentor teacher I was with (and quite enjoyed this aspect of teaching with another person) as well as allowing me to beginning to develop a number of skills in becoming a teacher.
YEAR 1: In my first year of teaching, it was generally an observation round of placement where I was placed in the same school for both semesters for a total of 5 days and in class with the prep/ones in semester one and 4/5/6's in semester two. Being first year, it was a great experience and eye opener as to what I was actually going to be going as I hadn't really returned to a primary school (while classes were operating) since leaving primary school myself. I had the great experience of witnessing co-teaching between the mentor teacher I was with (and quite enjoyed this aspect of teaching with another person) as well as allowing me to beginning to develop a number of skills in becoming a teacher.
YEAR 2: In my second year I was placed in a nearby public school and I was again placed with the grade prep/ones however this time for both of the semesters. This was a positive aspect of my placement as it allowed me to see the growth of the students abilities from the beginning of the year compared to the end of the year. This particular placement really helped me to understand many things such as overcoming certain situations with students who are experiencing difficulties in the classroom as well as home and may other other aspects. It also helped in expanding my knowledge and having the experience of generating lesson plans and actually have the opportunity to teach the students myself.
It was such a wonderful and memorable experience of beginning to feel like you are the teacher!
I was faced with a few unexpected situations on this placement, for example; a behaviour problem in a particular child which challenged me in thinking of how to overcome the problem. I overcame and assisted the child in a manner that the teacher could not resolve the problem. We developed a sense of trust and were able to work together to complete tasks and resolve any arising issues. Going back in the second semester was so great to see how much the children had progressed (from a child not knowing how to hold a pencil to being able to write their name, write sentences and do the tasks they are required to do, really is a rewarding and happy feeling!). I do believe that preps are the year level that you can see the most difference in the teaching and learning that has occurred throughout the year.
It was such a wonderful and memorable experience of beginning to feel like you are the teacher!
I was faced with a few unexpected situations on this placement, for example; a behaviour problem in a particular child which challenged me in thinking of how to overcome the problem. I overcame and assisted the child in a manner that the teacher could not resolve the problem. We developed a sense of trust and were able to work together to complete tasks and resolve any arising issues. Going back in the second semester was so great to see how much the children had progressed (from a child not knowing how to hold a pencil to being able to write their name, write sentences and do the tasks they are required to do, really is a rewarding and happy feeling!). I do believe that preps are the year level that you can see the most difference in the teaching and learning that has occurred throughout the year.
YEAR 3: I am yet to complete placement in my third year (as there is no professional placement in semester 1), however throughout this semester I have been able to gain alot of knowledge through the completion of assignments and attendance of lectures and build on a number of teaching and learning strategies. I have had the opportunity however of doing 1 day a week for 4 weeks in a school for a particular unit whereby we had to plan lessons (example; students making their own website based on their interest or using i-movie on the i pads) and them teach each other. It was a great experience and has assisted me in thinking about the concept of using technology in the classroom, also how much extra planning you need to do in case the technology doesn't work. I am looking forward to my 15 days placement in second semester and putting the theory into practice.
Overall, I have absolutely loved my course and placements so far and am looking forward to becoming the best possible teacher I can be! Keep an eye on this space as I will be adding more about my placement experiences as I go as well as possible additional experiences of other people with thom I go to university/meet along my teaching journey.
