On October 7, 2024, I began my field study at San Juan National High School, where I had the opportunity to observe my resource teacher, Melania G. Barrios, who handles students in Grades 7, 8, 9, and 10. Her class starts at 6:10 AM and ends at 12:00 noon. During this time, I observed how she applied different teaching approaches to cater to the varied learning needs of her students. For Grade 7, she used visual aids and hands-on activities to support students who are still developing their foundational skills. In Grade 8, she focused on collaborative group work to encourage peer interaction and critical thinking. With Grade 9, she incorporated multimedia tools like videos to enhance engagement, while in Grade 10, she used project-based learning to challenge students to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.
Throughout these lessons, I had the chance to assist students, taking note of how these varied strategies helped boost their participation and comprehension. Despite the challenge of managing the different needs of students across multiple grade levels, I quickly learned to focus on each group's specific needs. I also had to balance participation and note-taking during the lessons, but I adapted by focusing on key teaching moments. I realized how vital it is to tailor teaching methods to the developmental stage of each grade level to maintain student engagement and maximize learning.
My field study at San Juan National High School ended on November 14, 2024. From this experience, I learned the importance of flexibility and adaptability in teaching. Ms. Barrios' approach to creating an inclusive classroom environment showed me how effective teaching goes beyond delivering content—it's about building relationships with students to make them feel supported and motivated. Her ability to connect with her students helped foster a positive learning atmosphere. This field study not only reinforced my passion for teaching but also deepened my understanding of how to create an engaging and effective classroom environment. I look forward to using the knowledge and insights gained in this experience as I continue my journey to becoming a teacher.