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​3 c. Engaging Students in Learning

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My strongest skill in the classroom is my engagement with students. I try to get students really excited

about what we are learning by modeling this behavior myself. Sometimes students can be pulled in by a

stage whisper letting them know that today they get to be in on a secret other times you get to use wild

gestures and all your acting skills to introduce a topic. Using your own enthusiasm is one technique to

keep all your students engaged. Another way that I keep all students engaged is by using movement in

the classroom. Moving from one physical space to another can be enough to get students minds

moving and back on track. I try to create lessons that give students the chance to move around the room. For example, instead of being at our desks for an entire class period, I will bring the students up to the carpet and lead a discussion there. Afterwards, we will head back to our desks. Once instruction is complete, students have the option to work anywhere in the room they like. This allows them to move and stay engaged. I also like to give students time to wiggle and move before starting lessons. Engaging students helps keep them with you and therefore allows them to get more out of every day.

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3 d. Demonstrating Flexibility and Responsiveness

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While in school, we learned how to create ideal unit plans. However, I learned first-hand  that these idealistic plans rarely get taught the way you anticipated. Your daily schedule is constantly changing to accommodate new tasks, late starts and even snow days! Being flexible is crucial to being a teacher. I had the chance to practice my own flexibility many times throughout my education. This year, we experienced a snow day in April during our three day week before Easter. In order to create a new schedule, I had to look at our biggest priorities. I then went backwards and figured out how I could arrange things to fit into one day. Many times at the start of my student teaching experience, I would realize that I had forgotten something that I had meant to do. Instead of stressing out,  I would find a new way to make sure the tasks still got done. Being able to keep a cool head and adjust is very necessary in a profession where things are always changing. But that is part of the fun of teaching, you are constantly kept on your toes!

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