What a remarkable 25 days it has been!! I can’t believe it is already come and gone. They say “time flies by when you’re having fun” and that has never been more true. Throughout this experience, I have seen myself grow as a teacher. I have been introduced to new strategies and ideas that I get to bring back to the states and apply in my own classroom. I was given many opportunities to teach a variety of classes while I have been here. At times it was challenging learning Spain’s way of teaching because it is very different than America’s way of teaching. However, I think it has been very worthwhile to get out of my comfort zone and explore other teaching techniques I am not familiar with. I have learned a variety of teaching strategies and tools to be a better teacher for my students like how to empathize with children who are different than me, how to teach certain content, and how to create a safe and friendly environment. I am really looking forward to incorporating everything I have learned here into my own classroom.

I learned a neat, new teaching technique called the grid method. This strategy allows the student to visually see how a number is being broken down in division. I think this way is super beneficial for a student who is struggling with a division and can see why and how they are doing each step. Another thing that I picked up while being here in Spain is an activity called “Thank you for being you.” I think this is a super uplifting and encouraging activity for the students to participate in. In the back of the room, there are pictures of each student. Each week, the teacher chooses one of those students to be the highlight of the week. The student chosen will leave the room while the other students are given a post-it-note and write a “thank you for being you” comment. The teacher gives the students a variety of sentence starters to help them write their note. After everyone is done with their notes, the chosen student comes back in the room and stands at the front of the classroom. Each student goes around the room and shares what they have written about that student. One everyone has shared, the teacher glues each note to the chosen student’s picture and is hung on the back wall for everyone to see. It truly is a feel good moment for all the students and the teacher. I think this is a wonderful way to get the students to think of all the reasons they appreciate one another and is good practice for public speaking. I absolutely love this idea. This definitely will keep the classroom positive and encouraging at all times.

While being in Barcelona and St. Paul’s School, I have been put into many situations where people around me are speaking another language that I do not understand. This really put things into perspective for me. It allowed me to understand how ELL students feel like when they are in America surrounded by a language they do not understand. I wanted to study abroad so I could see how diverse students feel in these type of environments and I could experience what they experience. I can now empathize with these students and find different ways to make them feel more included. With full confidence, I am going to embrace diversity and change in my future classroom. Now that I have educated myself on this topic, I want to educate my future students, as well, so that I can be the best and most equip teacher for every student I encounter in my future.

On my last day, the students did a "thank you for being you" poster board for me. It was incredibly sweet. I will miss them so much!