A World of its Own

I had certain reservations about this middle school placement before entering the doors of Feinstein Middle School; I was worried I would not connect with my CT, feel comfortable working with such younger students, or  connect with the material they were being taught   After finishing my first week there, I still have these reservations, but they are less scary now.  It is clear that I am better suited for a high school class room, but I am pretty confident I can adapt myself and my teaching for a middle grade room for this placement.  

Our CT is great.  He works so well with his students and it is clear that he took the time to get to know them, which is so important.  He has a ton of energy and is very obviously comfortable in his classroom.  My teaching partner and I both noticed this and recognized it as a necessary trait to possess when working with this age group.  A trait that I question whether or not I myself possess.

The students themselves are very well behaved, they even applauded our presence in the room (a first for me).  None of my high school students ever clapped for my being there, but again, this is a completely different world. 

Over the next few weeks I hope to learn to channel the energy that my CT expresses in his classroom and be able to get to know these students who appear to be such great kids.  I am excited to learn about this new world called a middle school and anxious to teach these kids something that will be beneficial to their learning.

Here goes nothing!