Practicum

I had the most wonderful practicum experience during my placement at Sandy Run Middle School. The HPE 403 Practicum in Health and Physical Education is a demanding, field based course designed to prepare teacher candidates for the full responsibilities of student teaching. The mission of the course is to help future educators develop competency and confidence through structured practice, guided observation, and intentional reflection. Teacher candidates complete a total of fifty supervised hours, divided evenly between health education and physical education. These hours include weekly teaching responsibilities, collaboration and planning with mentor teachers, direct instruction, observation of best practices, and one formal university supervisor observation that meets Stage 3 PDE field experience requirements. Throughout the course, candidates are expected to follow professional attire and conduct standards, maintain an eighty to twenty balance between teaching and planning, follow district safety procedures, and participate actively in lesson development, assessment practices, and classroom management.

My experience at Sandy Run Middle School was enriching, rigorous, and deeply rewarding. I had the privilege of working with both of my mentor teachers across grades six, seven, and eight, engaging with a wide variety of learners and instructional settings. In health education, I taught in multiple classrooms, supported curriculum delivery, facilitated discussions, helped students work through skill based tasks, and participated in reviewing lesson plans, grading procedures, safety protocols, and mandated reporting expectations. In physical education, I taught and assisted with a diverse range of units including team sports, recreational games, skill development progressions, and fitness based activities. I had opportunities to lead warm ups, demonstrate skills, run stations, guide gameplay, and eventually transition into full lesson leadership using the HPE 403 transition plan.

The level of preparation required for this practicum helped me grow tremendously as an educator. I completed detailed lesson plans, coordinated weekly reflections, received ongoing feedback from my mentor teachers, and applied that feedback directly into my next lessons. I gained firsthand experience with classroom routines, management strategies, and safety protocols, and I learned the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and clear communication. I also had the opportunity to observe how experienced teachers differentiate instruction, address student needs, maintain a positive learning environment, and build meaningful relationships.

Completing all fifty hours in a middle school setting strengthened my skills, professionalism, and instructional confidence. This practicum reaffirmed my passion for teaching and provided a strong foundation for my upcoming student teaching experience. My time at Sandy Run Middle School was truly transformative and allowed me to understand the real impact that thoughtful, student centered instruction can have on learners. I am grateful for the mentorship, the growth, and the countless small moments with students that reminded me why I chose this career, and I will carry those memories with me for a lifetime.