School: Finley Farms Elementary
District: Gilbert Public Schools
Cooperating Teacher: Victoria Schmalenbach
Grade Level: Kindergarten
Dates: January 12, 2026 – May 1, 2026
Schedule: Full-time (Monday–Friday, contract hours)
My student teaching experience in Kindergarten was a transformative step in my development as an educator. Working with early learners required me to be intentional, patient, and highly responsive to individual student needs. Over time, I transitioned from supporting instruction to leading the classroom, taking full responsibility for planning, teaching, and managing the learning environment. This experience reinforced my belief that strong relationships, clear structure, and engaging instruction are the foundation of student success especially in the earliest years of education.
Designed and delivered engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons in literacy, math, and social-emotional learning
Led whole-group, small-group, and one-on-one instruction to meet students where they were academically and behaviorally
Established consistent classroom routines that created a safe, predictable, and positive learning environment
Used ongoing formative assessments to adjust instruction and support student growth in real time
Differentiated instruction to support a wide range of learners, including those needing additional academic or behavioral support
Built strong, positive relationships with students to increase engagement, trust, and classroom participation
Collaborated with my cooperating teacher and grade-level team to align instruction and share best practices
Through this experience, I developed a deeper understanding of how to balance structure with flexibility in the classroom. I learned how to:
Manage a classroom while maintaining a supportive and respectful environment
Deliver instruction that keeps young learners engaged and actively participating
Respond to student behavior in a way that is both consistent and relationship-centered
Use data to make instructional decisions rather than relying on assumptions
Adjust quickly when lessons or strategies were not effective
Student teaching solidified my commitment to becoming an educator and gave me the confidence to lead a classroom independently. Working with Kindergarten students taught me the importance of celebrating small successes, maintaining high expectations, and creating a classroom environment where all students feel valued and capable. This experience not only strengthened my instructional skills, but also shaped my approach to teaching as one that is student-centered, intentional, and focused on long-term growth.