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It has been a true privilege to complete my student teaching at MOT Charter School. The students are not only kind, hardworking, and respectful, but also consistently motivated to learn and grow. What made this experience even more meaningful was the exceptional support and collaboration from the staff.
From the very first day of my placement, during "Methods," I felt genuinely welcomed and valued. The teachers at MOT Charter go above and beyond—not only for their students but also for one another. I was encouraged to share ideas, given space to grow, and consistently supported throughout my journey student teaching. This positive, professional environment has greatly influenced my development as an educator and reinforced my passion for teaching.
"Methods" Placement:
Completed five curriculum-based courses across all subjects, as well as went into the field twice a week to observe, assist, and eventually lead my own whole group and small group lessons in a third-grade class.
Examples of Lessons Taught:
Math Number Talks
Small group liquid measurement instruction
Whole group- Opinion Writing
Whole group- Reading lesson
Whole group- How Do Tornadoes Form?
Created a tornado bottle model
Whole group- How Does Water Pollution Impact Marine Life?
Created a water pollution simulation
Student Teaching:
Began co-teaching with a partner while completing courses, went into the field twice a week, and lesson-planned consistently in a fourth-grade math class (with a lot of the same students from third grade!)
September-December 2024
Courses:
EDUC 428- Critical Reflection
EDUC 431- Applied Behavior Analysis
EDUC 432- Curriculum Instruction Exceptional Learners
EDUC 435- Evaluation Exceptional Learners
EDUC 437- Diagnosis Instruction Literacy
February-May 2025
Courses:
EDUC 433: Student Teaching Seminar
EDUC 400: Student Teaching (7 weeks Spec. Ed, 7 weeks Gen. Ed).
I officially started student teaching in February, staying in the same fourth-grade math class. I began by co-teaching with my mentor teacher, and we quickly found a great rhythm and flow with our teaching styles.
I eventually started lead teaching on my own, and I found my teaching style and voice. I was planning, co-planning, collaborating with other teachers, and developing my classroom climate and management, while considering each student's interests and needs.
I grew to absolutely love teaching math because there are so many creative ways to make it meaningful and engaging for students. Incorporating strategies, chants, songs, and educational games has become an integral part of my math instruction. Most importantly, I strive to empower students to believe in themselves, take risks, and recognize their own growth and progress as mathematicians.
Teaching social studies and writing has also been an incredibly rewarding experience. In writing, I supported students through informational pieces by strategically pairing readers for complex texts, creating graphic organizers and brainstorming sheets to ensure their ideas were clear, focused, and aligned with the prompt. During our narrative writing unit, I incorporated mini-lessons on dialogue and character development to help students bring their stories to life.
In social studies, I loved teaching about government structures and the three branches of government, especially when students had the opportunity to design and present their own government structure. Watching their understanding deepen and their confidence grow throughout these units has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my student teaching journey.
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