Mary LePage

Professor Sevensma
Final Self-Reflection
4/22/14
Teachers make a lesson plan to teach topic and a they try to
make it as creative as possible. For a long time, this all the planning
that I thought went into teaching. What I had never considered,
however, were the ways in which teachers adjust lessons to meet the
individual needs of students. Along with the idea that each student
learns in a different way, I became aware that while students in a
classroom may have a lot in common, they each are individuals with
strengths and weaknesses. This lead me to think back to my own
school experience and the times I remember my teachers displaying
that they knew me personally and individually. From thinking on my
own experiences and asking friends to share some of their personal
stories, I realized that the negative comments are sometimes just as
memorable as the positive comments. What stands out the most,
however, are the encouraging things teachers have told students.
Either positive or negative, the comments, actions, and
encouragement of teachers that acknowledges the students
individually are not forgotten.
A few weeks ago, about five friends living on my floor stood in
the hallway and had a conversation about teachers. As a future

educator, this was one of the most exciting and intriguing

conversations my friends and I could have had. One girl stated that a
highlight for every senior at her high school was giving their senior
picture to the schools literature teacher. She would take the picture
and post it on a board with a one-word adjective that she thought
described the student. Each senior waited expectantly to hear what
the teacher had to say about them and treasured her encouraging
words. Another friend told me that she will never forget when her 5th
grade teacher pointed out to her when he noticed that she went out of
her way in order to help younger students raise money. He was
impressed because she had helped those who otherwise wouldve
been forgotten in a fundraiser. For me, Ill never forget when my senior
year psychology teacher stood outside of her classroom every morning
while each student walked in. The individual interaction with her
before class, her questions about my morning or my upcoming day,
allowed me to feel connected with her and more excited about learning
in her classroom. After the conversation with my friends in our hall, my
mind was full and overjoyed with thoughts of how individual interaction
with students can have such a positive impact.
One of the most memorable and surprising moments of my
observation came one afternoon while the class was working on
homework. My learner was writing on a different worksheet, not
engaged in the homework the rest of the class was working on. I was

unsure of what he was doing when the teacher told the class, If you
dont need to see how to do this one then sit quietly and work on
something else. Like Mr. Rayburn works on his extra credit. Right
Haydn? This caused me to rethink multiple judgments about Haydns
activity in class. It caused me to think about his motivation differently,
seeing that even if he doesnt need help with class work, he may be
still working to complete assignments. I appreciated seeing the way
that Mrs. Miller, the classrooms teacher knew Haydn and was ok with
his not paying attention during the homework review because she
knew that he didnt need help. Instead, she respected the fact that he
was motivated and willing to work on other assignments to fill his time.
It would not surprise me that if many years in the future, Haydn
remembers the way that Mrs. Miller allowed him to work at his own
pace when he was ahead of the class.
During our time in Education 202, we have learned about the
many different factors that affect students learning. From the effects
of language, attention, memory, social class, and classroom setting,
students have different responses, strengths and weaknesses. As
teachers, it is vital for us to constantly be growing in our knowledge of
the ways that each of these factors affects specific students. In
addition, as an educator I need to be constantly devoted to learning
more about my students and the ways in which they, and the world
around them, are changing. Along with my own knowledge that every

student is different, I want to encourage students to find the

differences in one another. To look for their neighbors strengths and
know how those differ from their own and be willing to celebrate the
diversity within our classroom but how that diversity allows us to
represent the kingdom of God.
Overall, knowing and highlighting students individuality can be
something that has a positive impact on them for years to come. Just
as my friends and I remember what our teachers told us years ago,
students will remember the ways in which their teachers treat and
speak to them. I know that when I am willing learn about the
capabilities and individual characteristics of each student, and apply
that to their environment in my class, I will be more impactful as a
teacher.