Brittany Olson

Student Teaching Reflection

Spring 2020

For my student teaching experience, I treasure how my experience was crafted personally

for me. Yes through ups and downs, but through the trials, I was able to find my inner self more

through finding who I wanted to be as a future educator. My student teaching placement started

in a 3rd-grade classroom in Elkton, SD. I was able to learn alongside my cooperating teacher and

the 12 students in the classroom, which was such an experience being a much smaller classroom.

I was able to build relationships very quickly with these students and learn more about them and

their learning niches. During this experience, I was able to teach spelling, poetry, math centers,

reading, math, and writing. I was able to learn how to best align the state standard and create

lessons that interested the students and got them excited about learning. While being in this

placement I was also able to sub for my teacher a handful of different days. These days were

such great learning experiences as I truly had the students on my own. I was able to see how they

handled my instruction and management without their led teacher in the room.

Something I also really enjoyed at this placement was the community of the teachers and

being able to sit in on their grade-alike meetings, committee meetings, interview for a coaching

position, IEP meeting, and mentor meetings. I enjoyed being able to see how they organized their

meetings and how teacher interaction was present through the meetings. Through my various

practicums and placements, it was such an interesting experience to see how each student doe sit

differently.

One of my biggest learning stretches throughout this time as pertaining to a certain

student. This student often had battles in the classroom where they could not control their
emotions or how they were feeling when they became frustrated. So they would often ruin their

paper, break pencils, crayons, yell, hit their desk, etc. So they would be directed to take a break. I

know this is something that will be present in the classroom and just managing behaviors and

emotions in general. So it is a goal for me this summer to research and find best practices for

students and myself for resources and tools in the classroom.

During my student teaching experience, I was able to work to apply for jobs. Which was

a stressful but fun experience. I was able to apply for a second teaching position in Centerville,

SD. Which is where I will be teaching not fall of 2020. After accepting the job, I was able to

come early and finish my student teaching there. Which was such a blessing! As I was able to

meet the first graders who would be my 2nd graders next fall. Although I was only able to be

there two weeks before we were placed into quarantine, I learned so much in that quick time.

Being able to see how their school ran and the staff was such wonderful early exposure prior to

starting my job there in the fall. And being able to go through the quarantine and online learning

with them is something that I appreciate as I go into next fall.

As everyone’s student teaching experience is so different we all become equipped for our

next journey. I am so grateful for how mine played out and the support from my college

advisors, professors, teachers, and peers. It’s quite an understatement to say I am excited for the

school year to start for my first year of teaching next fall.