Wow, my first practicum is complete! What an amazing experience that I am so grateful to have had. I can’t wait for the following two practicums to follow as I feel like this practicum went by way to quickly and I wholeheartedly loved my time in the classroom. I learned a lot in my time at Polaris Montessori and I feel so grateful to have been placed at that school. I was able to teach four grades in one practicum and I defiantly learned a lot. When I was told I was placed in an intermediate class, grades 4-7, I had some self doubt. Am I able to do this, four grades for my first ever practicum? Intermediate is intimidating to me, how can I pull this off? I had so many doubtful questions running through my head as 1. I was in general nervous for my first practicum and 2. I was stepping far out of my comfort zone but I knew I wanted to be challenged.
My first week was all about making connections, I knew that in order to teach and have students engaged, I needed to make personal connections with each and every student. I feel like I was successful in making connections and left after three weeks with sadness as our time together was over. I defiantly left practicum 390 with a lot of knowledge, better understanding of myself and who I want to be as a teacher, I left learning from the students and my coaching teacher, and I left feeling proud of what we accomplished in three short weeks. In my time at Polaris I had taught the human body science unit which resulted in a research project fair, I taught a language unit on poetry, I taught art here and there, as well as math lessons using Montessori materials, and Indigenous education. As I had mentioned before, I felt pretty nervous about my practicum being placed in a Montessori grade 4-7 class, but I truly had the best support from the staff at Polaris. Everyone was so encouraging, helpful, and offered assistance and shared knowledge when needed. I couldn’t have done it without my coaching teacher, EA support staff, the principle, secretary, Indigenous education worker, resource teacher, librarian, and the students. When reflecting on my time in EDUC 390 practicum, I feel accomplished, proud, deserving, and hopeful for all that is to come in the years to come as a teacher. I know I still have a lot to learn and grow from but I can’t wait to continue my education and knowledge around the craft of teaching.
