Confidence and Independence-I must admit that when presenting my character for the Chautauqua, my confidence in my own ability to become someone else was high, but a bit nerve racking. The opposite was true in the beginning when it came to coaching students to do the same. The process of writing and helping the students to form a story to tell is one thing, but to pull out that creative side, and the won't to, is another. Working with peers, and hearing their questions during the briefing helps alot, and more often than not, I am where I am supposed to be with my group. I am still learning how to pull information from shy students, but feel confident with a bit of insight and reflective thought this to will be overcome.

 

Skills and Strategies- Taking into consideration the varied learning styles and each students ability in both reading and writing, has helped me immensely with my practicum students. Each one is different , and unique in their own way. I felt I was struggling a bit with the role of teacher instead of friend, but saw first hand how taking charge of the assigment, not only open up my shy student, but saw the others become inspired and ready to add more to their stories.

 

Use of Prior and Emerging Experience- I feel that working with students who are diverse in their language is a challenge, but a rewarding one. My background at Emmanuel has in many ways made me more aware of how I view individual children, taking great care in showing each one that they are accepted for who they are as a person. In my walk towards becoming a public school teacher, instead of a Christian school teacher, I find myself asking questions regarding the relationship between teacher and student. It has helped me to hear from the other teachers, how they felt about their own education and their expierences as young students. In working with the children at Apache, I find myself gearing my behavior, my personal knowledge about diverse students, toward my training from Emmanuel. I have however learned that a good teacher needs to display a confidence on what it is we are trying to accomplish as a group.

 

Knowledge Content- I know that we are already half way through the semiester, but I feel I have a great deal more to learn about teaching students who are linguistically diverse. It is my hope that as I begin to delve into the text for this course, I will develope a since of understanding stratigies for teaching diverse students. I am speaking here of just linguistically diverse students. My prior experience with special needs, as well as academically challenged students is much greater. I feel I know how to teach to a diverse room where the students are at varying learning levels, but need more practice and refection on ESL students.

 

Critical Reflection- In regards to this class, I am still asking question concerning cultural do's and dont's in the classroom. I have challenged myself and continue to do so, figuring out how best to approach students with new and innovative ways  with regards to cultural differences. I see myself as a new age type of teacher, where I allow the students to write, create, and display their knowledge and understanding of all subjects in their own way. I am fully aware of how I best learn, and feel that I will be able to teach to each type successfully. I need to see, hear, write, and have hands on time before I can grasp a new concept, and will teach that way.

 

*If I was to give myself a grade for coming to class and taking an interest in working with the Apache students, then I would give myself an A+. If however, this grade was only to reflect my understanding of how best to teach linguistically diverse students, then I would probably give myself a B- at this time.

 

*Suggestions for myself: The number one thing I feel that I could do for myself is to recognize that linguistics is just a small part of the whole child. Although each ones culture is very important, as a teacher, my main concern is to teach each child to the best of my and their ability. Sometimes I get caught up in the cultural aspect of this class, instead of focusing my attention on the many ways that my life will be enhanced by just teaching. Life's touching life's!

 

*Suggestions for my professor- Already discussed in person:)