What I can say for this experience is that it has shown me a lot about the behind the scenes of the profession that I was not aware of. What I mean by this is because I am often with the resource teachers, I observe / get to teach those that need that differentiated instruction. Since I have only had experience in a whole-class setting - this opportunity has come as an enlightenment and a challenge. I have to come up with ways to teach multiplication so that all eight children that are pulled from their normal maths class can comprehend. And each of those students are at different levels, as well! It is a challenge that I had not faced and it has taught me that I must be aware of all of my students needs and try to come up with preferable teaching methods for all.
Also, in one of my whole-class experiences, I am allowed to teach whatever material that I wish. This has helped me grow in my planning strategies and abilities as a teacher. I have come to make my lesson plans from scratch and gather the materials on my own. Since I am not following a textbook and I do not have as much guidance - it can be overwhelming to choose a topic that is educational and engaging all at once. I want my lessons to be worthwhile and to excite my students - which has made me think deeper into what I feel comfortable/excited about teaching. Lately, I have been leaning toward Language Arts topics (rhyming and poetry), but this week I am taking a leap of faith and teaching my Irish students about the good 'ol United States of America and some of the more important aspects that lie within the topic. I am enjoying the research and search for materials because I am excited for these students to learn about a foreign country - the place where I live!
So, overall, this experience is teaching me a lot about teaching. It's also teaching me about myself - what I feel most confident in sharing my knowledge about and how I am going to do it.
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