That’s a wrap, folks, for this year’s production of the 2018 SMSU 2-Day Elementary Clinical. It was a BIG hit!!! Each year, the SMSU teacher candidates have the opportunity to team teach for two full days and be in complete charge of a classroom. The classroom mentor teacher is close by, however, our teacher candidates do ALL the teaching. Everything from reading to math to social studies to gym and music. They get a lunch break and that is about it. They do have each other, however, which settles down some nerves.
This 2-day, theme based clinical is an experience of a life time. And it is one they will never forget. It is a lot of work for them, but, let’s face it, teaching is a lot of work.
One teacher candidate was overheard saying his feet were killing him. Another teacher candidate was overheard saying she hadn’t been to the bathroom all day. One teacher candidate said directly to me that she was exhausted…and it wasn’t the end of the first day yet. Yes indeed, teacher candidates, these are all realities of teaching.
I asked if a few teacher candidates would describe their clinical experience using the format of the children’s book called The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown. Each thing this author describes in her book follows a pattern. It begins with “The important thing about __________ is __________.” Two or three more description sentences are added and then is ended with “But, the important thing about __________ is ___________.” The same exact sentence as the first.
Below are a few of my teacher candidate’s thoughts on “The important thing about clinical was______________.” Enjoy. 🙂
Alexis Streich, Elementary Education Major with a minor in SPED shared the following:
“The important thing about clinical was realizing that students inspire teachers just as much as teachers inspire their students.
Clinical was time consuming, challenging, thought-provoking, tiring, and inspiring. It was full of trial and error, can you help me tie my shoes, muffled giggles of students who should be working quietly, and too many cups of coffee to count.
But, the important thing about clinical was realizing that students inspire teachers just as much as teachers inspire their students.”
Maizie Schacherer, Early Childhood Education Major, shared the following:
“The important thing about clinical was having the opportunity to experience two full days in the life of a teacher.
It is a rewarding experience, it provides new learning for both the students and teacher candidates, it provides an opportunity for growth, it builds a foundation for teaching, and it provided us with the opportunity to better ourselves as future educators.
But, the important thing about clinical was having the opportunity to experience two full days in the life of a teacher.”
Emily Augustin, Early Childhood/Elementary Education Major; Megan Hacker, Early Childhood Education Major; Amber Tietz, Early Childhood Education Major shared the following:
“The important thing about clinical was this gave us the opportunity to truly be the teachers and prepare for our future classroom.
Clinical was the most overwhelming, stressful, and nerve-racking experience we have ever been a part of. However, it was also the most enlightening, informative, and educational process a future educator can go through. It gave us the tools and resources needed for a classroom and the chaotic times which come with it. On our first day, we had to have gym in our classroom which we were not prepared for at all, but teaching is all about rolling with the punches and dealing with anything that might come a teacher’s way. Even though clinical was easily the most stressful part of our educational career at SMSU, it was, without trouble, the most rewarding adventure.
But, the important thing about clinic was this gave us the opportunity to truly be the teachers and prepare for our future classroom.”
Congrats to all of you, teacher candidates. We are proud of the outstanding educators you are becoming. We give thanks for you…and we give thanks for this clinical experience! 🙂 Enjoy your much deserved break!!
Stay calm and Rest…
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