Building Bridges

I am starting this blog site to reflect on my student teaching experience. My elementary supervising teacher, Diane Chen and I are both reflecting on this experience. So, if you like to see the librarian teacher side, check out deepthinking.blogsome.com.

I am really excited about this experience. This placement began on January 13th and will end on March 10th. After this placement, I will begin my student teaching at the middle school level. I am a little nervous on that one because I have always viewed my style of teaching more on the lower grades. But I will see. So, far my time at Hickman Elementary has only confirmed what I already know about becoming a librarian. This is exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life! Now, it has not been a piece of cake, by no means. But that is why I like it so much. It is always a new challenge at every turn.

I have learned that a librarian’s job is basically in construction. We try to build bridges with students, faculty, parents and the community. That is pretty much everyone in our society. That is a huge responsibility. I get a lot of raised eyebrows when people ask me what I am studying in school. People are surprised that you actually need a master’s degree to be a “librarian.” There is a big misconception of what a school librarian really does. It is not just the vision of shelving books. School librarians do so much more. I will be talking about that more in my upcoming blogs.

I feel so far my weakness might be classroom management and trying to get the lesson plans on the grade level that is needed. I either shoot too high or too low. Hopefully, that will come in time. My worry is my comp test in April. This is the last major hurdle that could stop me from graduate in May. But I am immersing myself in professional articles, going over my notes from all my courses and asking as many questions as I can. But most of all is pray. I really don’t know of anything else I can do. I will keep you posted. My biggest misconception is the real meaning of collaborative teaching. What I thought was collaborative is really cooperative. This is still great. My goal is to have my portfolio completed on time. That is a huge project. Another big deal coming up is on February 14th. I will be attending a job fair for teachers. Hopefully, I will come away with a job.

Well, I need to get back to my lesson plans. I hope all is well with you and may your day be very blessed.

Amanda Murray