Vanway Elementary: Practicum
Over my three-week practicum, I had the chance to see just how much growth can happen in a short amount of time, for both the students and myself. Watching the students open up to me, gain confidence, and push themselves to try new things was honestly one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. Whether it was a quiet student raising their hand during a math lesson or another student finally getting the hang of a concept they’d struggled with, those moments really stood out to me. I felt like I made a genuine impact, even in a short period of time. At the same time, I was growing right alongside them. My coaching teacher was a huge part of that. She gave me so much practical insight, not just about planning lessons or managing a classroom, but about really seeing students for where they’re at developmentally and meeting them there. I learned how important it is to stay flexible, read the room, and be willing to shift gears (pivot) to support student needs in the moment. Coming from a coaching background, I’ve always known the importance of building relationships, but seeing it play out in a primary classroom setting gave me a new perspective. Standard 3 focuses on understanding student growth and development, but this experience reminded me that as educators, we’re always learning and growing too. Teaching is never one-sided, it’s a constant exchange. I left practicum feeling more confident, more aware, and more excited than ever to keep showing up for my future students and continue learning alongside them.