Reflections on Learning

Speaking of my experience at Field Placement 2, I feel that I have grown personally and professionally since with every opportunity that is given to me to work with the students, I feel that I learn more from them than what they learn from me. This type of practice not only teaches me about the world that awaits me as a professional, but also makes me feel more human and more open to thinking about how to help others and do it in the best way.

Now more than before, I understand that my place in the classroom is not only limited to educating, but to help to create an environment where students feel happy, confident and most of all safe. As learned in one of my readings for Field Seminar 2, "Paraprofessionals are an essential support that allows a student to be educated within an inclusive classroom environment" (Julie Causton-Theoharis, 2005), which makes my commitment to the students not only in educational matters, but also with them as people who need me and my knowledge to develop themselves in the best way they can within the society in which we live.

One part that is very important to me and that I take from the two Field Placements that I have done throughout my program, is the continuous growth as a professional. As I learned in my Field Seminar class, "An important part of being an informed educator is accessing ongoing learning, or professional development" (Mactaggart, 2020). This will allow me to provide the best of my knowledge to students working hand in hand with the vanguards in education. I cannot limit myself to working with what I already know, since we live in a changing world and as professionals we must adapt to changes and create strategies to adopt and implement them in the classroom, but always keeping in mind what is the best for students and what are the things that best suit their needs.

References

Julie Causton-Theoharis, K. M. (2005). Building Bridges: Strategies to Help Paraprofessionals Promote Peer Interaction. Retrieved from Teaching Exceptional Children Volume 37, Promoting Positive Social Development: https://slate.sheridancollege.ca/d2l/le/content/739773/viewContent/9640911/View

Mactaggart, J. (2020). Field Placement 2, Module 5, Exploring PD, [Powerpoint slide 9]. Retrieved from: https://slate.sheridancollege.ca/d2l/le/content/739773/viewContent/9640950/View