Practicum Experiences/Growth

A Story of Growth

I think from my very first one day per week practicum to the end of my ten week practicum, I have grown immensely. If there is any one particular experience that changed me, this would be it. All my life I have been big on creating and maintaining relationships. I knew that this would likely be very valuable in the profession of teaching, but I had no idea as to what extent until my long practicum commenced. I felt that over my ten weeks, I gradually got to know every professional in my school to some level, a feat that I was very proud of. I got to learn a lot by doing this, as I heard a bit about the ins and outs of each grade from their teachers and their perspectives on dealing with challenging groups or individuals. It was nice to hear from not only my teacher mentor so my ideas and perspectives were broadened. Just as well, I got to know about the duties of the support staff such as our librarian and janitors, the Certified Education Assistants, our LART teacher and our administration. Building these relationships also helped give me opportunities such as being trusted to coach and referee basketball, gain access to additional professional development, and have some very respected individuals offer themselves as professional references for my future job applications. The proverbial icing on top was that I got to know a heck of a lot of wonderful people that were all unique and interesting in their own ways. In addition, building relationships helped me successfully work with the students in my practicum class. I had my fair share of difficult individuals at times and really no university training on what to do when dealing with them. I found success in finding commonalities between myself and them, creating a bit of camaraderie when appropriate, and proving to them that I care about their development by consistently checking in with them whilst not forcing my help on them and letting them solve some problems on their own. I think one student of mine in particular really resonated with me as he had tough days listening and completing work, or sometimes even seeing the purpose in doing so. I kept working with him and working with him, at the worst of times keeping him in at recess or lunch and at the best appropriately celebrating his work and progress with his peers. I was lucky enough to also have him on my basketball team, which was an alternate environment to work with him in and gain a better idea of how to get through to him in the classroom. In the end he wrote me quite a sweet private note that proved to me all of this relationship work was worth it.