First of all, I can't believe 7 weeks is over! This internship has gone so fast I feel like I haven't even had time to blink! I am absolutely loving my collaborative placement. I am getting familiar with at least 3 different teaching styles, as well as learning how they all work together to help students the best way possible. We each have taken on a certain subject area in which we are "experts" in, and that helps us when we all plan together. We are doing a lot of small group work, as well as what could be considered parallel teaching. The students certainly see all 3 teachers as equals, and I think they feel lucky to have all of us in there. The special education teacher has been so awesome in letting me plan with her, and even work with "her" students. She taught me how to use the DIBELS assessment for students, and even let me do most of the 4th grades' progress monitoring. I think that I am getting the most experience that a person could possibly get out of their internship. I not only work with/monitor my one student with a behavior disorder from my original placement, but I also get to work with general educators as well as special educators. I feel like I am in every room in the school at some point during the day! I also received the nicest e-mail from my current host teacher thanking me for actually caring about her students in the way that most people don't. I guess I am just really excited about the way things are going, and already am beginning to feel depressed about leaving! However, I start my action research next week, so my feelings might change!
That's just great--I'm glad it has all worked out so well. You'll be able to provide share your co-teaching knowledge with the others in your cohort, possibly looking ahead for contract hours...make sure you have lots of documentation from this experience for your portfolio!
Stephanie, Always enjoy reading your blog and am grateful you're getting such a rich experience during your internship. Not many of your peers are involved with DIBELS assessments and co-teaching to the extent you are and I believe this will help you immensely as you enter the teaching profession. May want to talk at some point with you about how we recreate these types of opportunities for all sped interns. DH
First of all, I can't believe 7 weeks is over! This internship has gone so fast I feel like I haven't even had time to blink! I am absolutely loving my collaborative placement. I am getting familiar with at least 3 different teaching styles, as well as learning how they all work together to help students the best way possible. We each have taken on a certain subject area in which we are "experts" in, and that helps us when we all plan together. We are doing a lot of small group work, as well as what could be considered parallel teaching. The students certainly see all 3 teachers as equals, and I think they feel lucky to have all of us in there. The special education teacher has been so awesome in letting me plan with her, and even work with "her" students. She taught me how to use the DIBELS assessment for students, and even let me do most of the 4th grades' progress monitoring. I think that I am getting the most experience that a person could possibly get out of their internship. I not only work with/monitor my one student with a behavior disorder from my original placement, but I also get to work with general educators as well as special educators. I feel like I am in every room in the school at some point during the day! I also received the nicest e-mail from my current host teacher thanking me for actually caring about her students in the way that most people don't. I guess I am just really excited about the way things are going, and already am beginning to feel depressed about leaving! However, I start my action research next week, so my feelings might change!
ReplyDeleteThat's just great--I'm glad it has all worked out so well. You'll be able to provide share your co-teaching knowledge with the others in your cohort, possibly looking ahead for contract hours...make sure you have lots of documentation from this experience for your portfolio!
ReplyDeleteStephanie,
ReplyDeleteAlways enjoy reading your blog and am grateful you're getting such a rich experience during your internship. Not many of your peers are involved with DIBELS assessments and co-teaching to the extent you are and I believe this will help you immensely as you enter the teaching profession. May want to talk at some point with you about how we recreate these types of opportunities for all sped interns.
DH