YEAR 4 Practicum
My EDUC 4030 practicum was a transformative experience where I developed my skills in student-centered teaching, technology integration, and culturally responsive practices. Through designing engaging lessons with gaming elements, differentiated instruction, and Indigenous perspectives, I saw how creativity and inclusion can truly empower learners. I especially enjoyed using hands-on inquiry projects and digital tools to make learning more interactive, while also building strong relationships with students to create a supportive classroom community. Throughout the practicum, I worked on improving my pacing, transitions, and assessment strategies. These were key growth areas for me and helped shape me into a more reflective and flexible educator. This experience reinforced my passion for equity-focused teaching that meets students where they are and helps them succeed.
In my third year, I made significant strides in my teaching abilities. I particularly excelled in implementing the UFLI program and demonstrated proficiency in MathUp. I showed adaptability by addressing challenges in pacing and time management, using a running visual timer to control lessons effectively. Engaging actively in parent-teacher conferences improved my communication and collaboration skills with parents. My flexibility in planning and executing engaging lessons, like an Indigenous integrated art session, displayed creativity and commitment to diverse learning experiences. This year was a turning point where challenges turned into opportunities for growth, shaping my path toward becoming a skilled and innovative educator.
Through this field experience, I was able to gain valuable insights and prepare myself for the upcoming practicum. The 3 connected lessons assignment provided an opportunity to practice lesson planning in a way that builds on prior knowledge and experiences of students. As I guided kindergarten students, I was able to observe and learn effective ways to support them in their learning journey. Overall, this experience has been a great stepping stone for me to develop my teaching skills and gain practical experience in the classroom.
I had a refreshing and exciting first field experience in a Grade 1 classroom, which was the first time I had the opportunity to see a classroom in action since my own childhood. During my time there, I learned many important things such as the importance of building positive relationships with students, how to manage classroom behaviour effectively, different teaching methods and techniques, strategies for engaging students and promoting active learning, and the significance of creating a safe and welcoming learning environment. These valuable insights will be useful to me in my future teaching career.
Covid affected in class placements for field placement, hence online workshops as an alternative
Despite the absence of physical placements, online workshops have provided opportunities for learning, growth and skill acquisition. I believe that the workshops I participated in, including Library Orientation, Diversity, Inclusion, Politics of Education, Professionalism, Cross-Cultural Understanding, Truth and Reconciliation, were highly informative and have laid a strong foundation for my future years. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, these workshops have enabled me to develop a deeper understanding of important issues related to education, culture, and society.