As I step back and reflect on my Sophomore Block Experience, this semester has helped me in a multitude of ways to take the next step on my journey to be the educator I want to be. From learning how to be culturally sustainable, and manage a classroom of all different backgrounds in EDUC 278, to learning how to accept exceptionalities in your classroom in EDUC 281. Also learning about child development and their growth in EDUC 279, and learning how to adapt your classroom for ESL Learners in EDUC 280. I became more knowledgeable on an array of different topics, but everything that I learned leads back to the fact that you have to meet your students’ needs no matter where they are in their education. Student-centered learning goes along with this, as a teacher you adapt your teaching to meet the immense variety of needs for your students to succeed in your classroom.
Future teachers are taught these topics to become a certified teacher, but SNC is different and this program allows you to get theory to practice which taught me a lot more than I expected it to. I was able to personally meet students where they are, and I was able to see the wide range of needs from my students which was a shock to me how different every student was in my classroom placement that I was in. Truly it is hard to place into words how much this experience meant to me. I grew very strong relationships with my students, and I helped them with their education. Watching them grow was one of my biggest honors in my classroom. To see all of my students succeed in their learning was so beyond amazing and rewarding. It was very hard leaving the connections that I made with my students, and the school as a whole. Langlade Elementary School was a great place to start my journey to take the next steps in my education.
This experience has allowed me to grow as a person in my confidence to have my own classroom someday in the future. I learned so much about myself as a pre-service teacher that I would not have known if not for Sophomore Block from both the classes and the classroom placement. I cannot wait to continue my journey to become a future teacher. I know this is the exact path I am supposed to be on because of all the classes I have taken and the experiences that I have had here at St. Norbert College.
It seems clear that you leveraged this experience to move you forward as an educator. You positive attitude and commitment to leaning as you support your students will help you to thrive.