Work-Based Learning Job Shadow Day

Shelton Elementary School

I had the great opportunity to shadow Mrs. Stephanie Hobbs on February 9th, 2022. Mrs. Hobbs teaches at Shelton Elementary school in Dallas, Georgia. Mrs. Stephanie is one of my family friends, so I had no problems asking to shadow her. At Shelton Elementary, Mrs. Stephanie teaches EIP. EIP is a class for students who tend to lack in style and fall behind. She teaches each grade of elementary school. While job shadowing, I observed Mrs. Stephanie improve the students' reading and writing skills. I chose this particular job because I have always been interested in teaching younger children. I enjoyed shadowing at this school mainly because I went there for all my elementary school years.

The work environment at Shelton was excellent. Everyone working seemed happy to be there and create a fun learning environment. Shelton is a large cooperation. Most employees work alone, but some have assistant teachers. People who work at Shelton elementary school are filled with extraordinary joy. They were all very welcoming and polite to me. At the school, there is great diversity. Employees have to graduate college with a bachelor's degree teaching and can be student teachers/ assistant teachers before doing it independently. I have to say that before I job shadowed, I had second thoughts on education. After the day was over, I was in love with the job and made my decision a lot more explicit about teaching. I liked the job environment and everything about education.

I arrived at the elementary school at 7:45 am. The first bell rang at 8:00 am. I was there until the school day ended at 2:15 pm. There was a lunch break that was thirty minutes long, and then there was a planning period where she had no kids. When I first got there, I was warming up to the environment, so I just observed what she was doing as well as the kids. After a few minutes of doing that, I put myself out there and started to engage with the kids. I helped them with their essays, reading, and forming their creativity. I felt comfortable doing so just out of my natural personality instincts.

In conclusion, this opportunity opened my eyes to what my life could look like in five or six years, and I could not be happier from what I learned. I learned how to control a classroom, engage with students, and have hands-on experience with students at a young age. I did expect this to be fun for me, and it was. I expected it to be enjoyable because of my love for kids. They all asked me if I would be there tomorrow, and when I told them I wouldn't, they showed sadness on their faces. I will consider working in this field if things lead to it. After getting my bachelor's degree in teaching, I would be qualified for this job. I would recommend this location and job position to another student because it is not far away, and it is an excellent school with great people teaching.