I am a teacher and I love what I do. There are times when I look around the classroom at all of the wonderful young people in it and think to myself, "I can't believe this is my job. I wish all people could be as happy in their work as I am.".
I began my education in the Secondary Program (high school) at the University of Saskatchewan. Since graduating, I have had the privilege of teaching students in high school, middle years, and elementary school.
At one time I thought that I couldn't teach young students. Truthfully, I was intimidated by them. I didn't know what to do for them, and felt like I didn't know how to help them. After a steep learning curve teaching Grade 4 for a year, I realized that elementary school is where I want to be.
When I began the year in Grade 4, I was completely overwhelmed and I realized that what I thought about myself as an educator for younger students was right; I didn't know how to help them.
I have always known how I wanted to teach. Even in university, I had a very clear understanding of what I wanted the classroom environment to look and feel like, the opportunities for learning I wanted students to have, and the interactive tools that I wanted them to have at their disposal. I knew the space should feel like a comfortable home-away-from-home; that I wanted a student-centered environment complimented by student-centered learning. Unfortunately, I quickly realized that I didn't know the strategies to implement the very specific environment that I envisioned. I entered survival mode and reverted to teaching the way that I was taught.
Thankfully I was able to connect with a teacher-coach who was a 15 year grade 4 veteran teacher. She was no longer a classroom teacher. Instead, part of her job was to help educate green horns (like me!) about strategies for helping students learn. Everyone should have someone in their life like this woman. If you don't, I encourage you to seek someone out! As she mentored me, she not only helped fast forward my learning to becoming a better teacher, but she also gave me confidence, which I was able to pass to my students in turn.
I think that I would have been very unhappy if I continued the way I was going before I met my mentor. Thankfully, in my most challenging year, I was able to take advantage of many opportunities to learn and grow. I am happy to say that I have made great leaps in creating the student-centered classroom that I have envisioned. I look forward to the leaps that I will be making in the future, and I am so glad that I have a place to share my experiences as I learn.
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