Learning Outcome 3

At the end of my second practicum, I had many challenges and reflections, and one significant realization I made was the huge responsibility and importance of a teacher, especially in assisting students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs).

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There were four students with IEPs in my class, and each of them needed something unique. In my case, they had to do with more than just changing up teacher moves; they involved daily conversations with my partner teacher and careful contemplation of how to best respond for certain needs. The experience taught me that teaching is about constantly adjusting and figuring out how to serve different needs with attention and purpose.

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This revelation also helped me understand a pervasive and broader truth: to support students in as meaningful way as possible, I had to understand not just their individual needs, but where they come from and the community around the school.

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The school is right next to a plenty of neighborhoods. Family use of facilities close to the schoolgrounds. In addition, the school itself featured open outdoor areas that pushed learning beyond the classroom. These outdoor spaces offered inclusive learning experiences for students with and without IEPs. I think this type of environment — one that enables all students to learn from, and with, one another — is at the bedrock of a fair and supportive education system.

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I had this happen again on Walking Wednesday. As much as academics are important for the students, I found the other activities equally relevant. It’s till crucial to give students varying perspectives and time to explore and reflect on their environment, even if it’s only by walking around the school neighborhood.

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Oh, and, if I could add one more, at the beginning weeks of my practicum experience, I frequently sat in on the school's robot-building competition preparations. I had conversations with the students about how their designs were not only about looks but function — what they could bring to their peers and what they could shadow away from the experience. From this, I have learned how beneficial these types of extracurricular engagements can really be to the mental health of students.

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