End of the Semester Reflections

As the fall semester of senior year draws to a close, I cannot help but think back on the semester as a whole from my first day in my classroom placement to the projects in Methods to the ARA conference presentation to my last week in the classroom for this semester. I definitely went through phases that got me to the point I am right now where I am wrapping up my fall semester and preparing for my spring semester of internship.

At the beginning of the semester, it was an understatement to say that I was overwhelmed with classes and the responsibility of teaching four classes a day. I was not prepared for it by far. However with a patient mentor teacher and a great deal of strength and determination, I stuck it out and put my nose to the grind. This sometimes meant putting internship on the back burner to take care of a paper or putting internship ahead of a smaller assignment that was due. Eventually I found a way to balance the two.

Now I'm to the point that I have practiced methods and thrown out some that I found unsuccessful and saved others I felt where helpful. That being said, I have learned a few things that I want to share here as I reflect back on my first semester of internship:

1. Consistency in classroom management is key.
2. Always assume the best about students.
3. Never be afraid to take on the basket cases.
4. Keep your classroom fun and inviting.
5. Praise the good things students do.
6. And most importantly, remember to use resources available to you in order to prevent burnout.

This semester has been fun and nerve-wracking at the same time. As I see the light at the end of the tunnel, I wanted to take a minute to share these important things with you all. For those entering internship next semester, keep these in mind and do not hesitate to ask those of us who have been there if you feel a bit overwhelmed and in need of assistance. This is one lesson I wish I would have learned earlier. 

ARA Conference

My time at the Arkansas Reading Association conference was invaluable. There are several things that I felt like this conference afforded me the opportunity to do. Over the course of the day that I was there, I was able to:

• Connect with future colleagues,
• Take advantage of the resources offered by several companies present,
• Learn about new methods of teaching literacy in the classroom,
• And connect with an enthusiastic keynote speaker who has great resources on keeping students engaged in the literacy classroom.

I feel as though I have been armed with more resources than I was before I went to the conference. I was able to meet new people and see educators discuss what they were passionate about. Working with Mrs. Gillmore and Becca on the conference presentation that we presented gave me a renewed look at the work that Becca and I are about to engage in. This conference afforded me an opportunity that I would not have had had I not attended it. I know moving forward that I will continue to attend the Arkansas Reading Association conference and participate in the mission of the ARA.