SCHOOL PLACEMENT 1
Student: James Patton
Date: 13/10/2017
OBSERVATION
We were greeted formally by
the school principal in the
morning. We talked briefly in
relation to the purpose of this
placement for us as student
teachers and were assigned a
classroom in which we would
be in for the duration of the
day.
The class formed a line at the
top of the classroom to say
their morning prayers. These
prayers were said in Irish.
I was in junior & senior
infants for the day. I
introduced myself to the
teacher in which I would be
with for the day. She then
outlined the objectives for the
class. She told me that the
children have play time until
10 o clock and then
stationary learning
commences. The students
then get a 15-minute break
and after this the teacher
announced that "show and
tell" was about to start.
2017/2018
Class Observed: Junior & Senior Infants
Topic: Professionalism in Teaching
CRITICAL REFLECTION ON THE OBSERVATION
Professionalism is defined in the Oxford dictionary as (F.G
and H.W Fowler, 1978, p. 709)the qualities or typical
features of a profession or professionals The principal
addressed us in a friendly and polite manner. I observed eye-
contact, body language and tone of voice at this stage. This
was a relaxed greeting as the principal had a pleasant smile
on her face as we engaged physically with a handshake while
maintaining eye-contact throughout. My initial impression of
the principal was that she was very professional, business
like and caring.
In my opinion I think that morning prayers are a good idea as
it helps develop a feeling of unity among students while it
also allows the teacher to gain an insight into what is
happening at home in cases of bereavement, so as to be
prepared.
In the initial stages during playtime I noticed that the noise
level in the classroom was very loud. I paid close attention to
the teacher's actions as she controlled the class in order to
achieve complete silence before announcing the next
instruction. She reacted in a very professional manner and
did not raise her voice. She used a technique where the class
performed a "countdown" from 10 seconds this gave the
children time to finish talking and be in their seats. The
teacher then thanked her students for their co-operation.
At certain times throughout the day there would be
individual cases were a child would misbehave individually,
in this case the teacher said the child's name once, after this
the child immediately stopped. I look forward on
implementing this method in the future as I progress through
my teaching career as I feel that it worked effectively.
The teacher uses an exercise called show and tell as a fun
way to introduce public speaking, while also improving their
communicational skills. I admired the method in which the
SCHOOL PLACEMENT 1 2017/2018

teacher got the children to be more descriptive when

describing their item. The teacher would ask each child a
series of questions in relation to the item in which they were
showing to the class. "Questioning skills are also central to
the repertoire of effective teaching" (Kyriacou, 2007)

At break time I was on yard duty. On one particular occasion

a student began climbing a tree, I addressed the student
telling them that it was not allowed although the junior
student didn't acknowledge my instruction and proceeded to
climb the tree. I immediately notified a nearby teacher that
was also on yard duty with me in relation to the matter as it
was a potential safety hazard and I was inexperienced in
dealing with these types of situations. The teacher
intercepted telling the student to get down or disciplinary
measures would be put in place. As soon as the teacher spoke
the child began getting down from the tree. Personally, I
think the younger children seen that I was new to the school
environment and assumed I hadn't got the power to
reprimand them in their wrong doing. I think that the teacher
dealt with this situation in the correct manner. I have learned
from this experience and I now feel more confident in dealing
with issues like this in the future.

In doing this reflection on the topic of "professionalism in

teaching" I am now more aware on the ways and means of
fulfilling the role of a professional teacher.

Bibliography
F.G and H.W Fowler, 1., 1978. s.l.:F.G and H.W Fowler, 1978,.

Kyriacou, C., 2007. Essential Teaching Skills. 3rd ed. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes Ltd.