Teacher Assistant

My Practicum Experience

This semester, I decided to do my practicum by giving back and becoming a teacher assistant at Washington Parks Academy. Teacher assistants are people that help teachers with different instructional work using lesson plans and providing support to allow teachers more time for teaching and lesson planning. They do other duties such as, supervising children in the lunchroom, tutoring, and recording grades. I attended this school in my 7th and 8th grade year so it was very rewarding to have the chance to come back and help different elementary students. My adult partner was a 4th grade science teacher by the name of Mrs. Dreyer. She is a graduate from GVSU with a Bachelors in Science, major in Integrated Science, and minor in Elementary education. It was her first year teaching there and she has always liked working with different elementary students. Being a teacher assistant provided some valuable experience for me. As a teacher assistant, my experience included monitoring 4th graders and assisting Mrs. Dreyer in whatever task that needed to be done. The roles and responsibilities that I was given was completing assigned homework problems individually, collecting/distributing sets of examinations or different handouts, and preparing different equipments at the start of class. I was also able to work in the laboratory to make sure that supplies and equipment was in order, preparing and monitoring laboratories, grading assignments, and cleaning up at the end of class.

For examinations, I graded essays, math problems, and kept records of quizzes and laboratory grades. As a teacher assistant, I worked alongside her to plan different activities and support those who are having difficulties. I also managed to help organize the learning environment and support different introductions to new activities. I also managed to do things such as grading quizzes, distributing tests and homework assignments. I was given different duties and responsibilities including, showing kids how to make a circuit and observing their performance. I prepared and had set out different classroom resources and equipment that was directed by Mrs. Dreyer.

One of the most important experiences that I learned was how to be a disciplinarian which was part of the job of monitoring students and enforcing rules. For example,sometimes the students would get out of their seats or talk at the wrong or inappropriate times. The benefits of this experience has helped me improve in many personal things. Some of the personal benefits I received from this experience was improvement in interacting with others in a group. Another personal benefit that I received was improvement in building my interpersonal skills and improvement in my communication skills. But the most important personal benefit that I received is improvement in my organizational skills. The most important benefit that I received as a teacher assistant was how important it is to be a good role model to those who are much younger. A role model in how to dress, how to interact, and communicate with others.

As a result, I was successful in establishing a good working relationship with my adult partner. I was also successful in establishing effective relationships with the students and was very reliable. And finally, I got to learn students names and was able to let them know that I care about their learning. For example, sometimes I would encourage them to form study groups and always gave them my full attention when they had difficulties with something.
In my interview with Mrs. Dreyer, she explained the challenges that she faces on a daily basis which was, student behaviors, balancing what the state requires, and keeping material engaging. Next, she explained the characteristics that she considered important which makes her successful in her job. She explained that being consistent, flexible, understanding, patient, and having the love of learning makes her successful in her job. Then, I asked her what was the labor market trend for this occupation? And it would it still be a viable option to pursue in about 5 years? She explained that teachers would always be needed, classroom sizes may increase, and more online options become available. One piece of advice that she would offer a young person contemplating to pursue this career pathway is to be very passionate working with students and willing to flexible. Then I asked her questions of my own. My first question was how did she that overcome these challenges. She explained that having good relationships with parents, being consistent with students, and whenever she is planning, she only have to plan 2 subjects. My next question was, what was easier between team teaching and traditional teaching. She explained that team teaching is easier planning wise and traditional is easier to build a relationship with students because you have less. After that, she explained the struggles of the students. Her answer was that, In 4th grade or lower elementary, students have issues staying organized and managing two different teachers. But in order to help them, she gives them planners, 8-pocket folders, consistent behavior plan, and newsletters. My final question was, what are the benefits of team teaching. She explained teaching what she know content area, and creating natural breaks in the day,allowing kids to experience different teaching methods. In Conclusion, It was very rewarding to come back and help those who are having difficulties. It’s better for young people to teach the younger because if they see that you care about their education, they will take their education more serious and will work harder.