For my fieldwork placement, I was at Tamalpais High School working with 9th and 10th grade students in Spanish and AVID classes, and it was honestly such a full-circle moment for me. Being back in the same high school I went to, and even with the same teacher who once taught me, made the experience feel really personal and meaningful. I got to see how classrooms function from a teacher’s perspective instead of a student’s, noticing how lessons are structured, how teachers support different learning needs, and how students engage in different ways depending on the subject. In Spanish, I saw how interactive activities and participation help build confidence, while in AVID, the focus on organization and college readiness showed me how important it is to support students beyond just academics. Overall, it made me reflect on my own experience as a student there and think about the kind of teacher I want to be in the future.
One of my favorite moments in the class was when students created the skeleton artwork for Día de los Muertos. I really liked how creative and engaged everyone was while working on their skeleton poses, and it was interesting to see how each student added their own personality into something that had the same basic structure. The activity wasn’t just about art, but also connected to culture and language, which made it more meaningful. It showed me how hands-on activities can help students stay focused and actually enjoy learning, especially in a language class where participation really matters.
Another favorite moment was when students made the colorful paper plate faces and skull designs. This activity felt more expressive and personal, because every piece looked completely different and reflected each student’s style. I noticed how students were excited to share their work and even talk about their designs, which created a more interactive and positive classroom environment. It made me realize how important creativity is in learning, and how incorporating art can make students feel more comfortable, confident, and connected to the lesson.