Journal!

Looking back on my Coop experience, I feel that it was a great success. I met a lot of kind and intelligent people, and have created thousands of wonderful memories. The kind people, and the adorable students, are the things that I am going to miss the most. However, going through this experience, I know now more then ever, that this is exactly the career path I want to follow. Going through this experience has helped prepare me for the future, and has taken away any doubts that I had about being a teacher. I am really grateful for this opportunity, and it was something I will always remember.

On my last day at St. Andrew's, I was more upset then I thought I was going to be. Karolina and I decided to buy a little treat for the kids, and they enjoyed it so much, and I was really pleased. When we were done, I went to Mrs. McLean's class, and Mrs. T gave me a gift from all the kids I worked with throughout the term. Also Mrs. Smith, Mrs. McLean and Mrs. Slomka gave me a really kind gift, that was truly unexpected. The kids made me a beautiful card, and when I went to go say goodbye they all gave me a big hug. When I was finally done I went to thank all the teacher's I worked with, and they wished me good luck and told me that they believe I will make a great teacher. This made me feel proud and confident knowing that these teachers, who have worked in the education field for so long believe in me.

Thursday!

Karolina and I got to St. Andrew's on Thursday a little late, because we wanted to make sure we arrived just when lunch recess was over. This is because we decided to buy Freezes for the classes that we worked with this year during coop. We went to all of the classes that Karolina worked in, and then we went to Mrs. Smith's room. It was a little sad saying goodbye and thank you to all the teachers and kids. The Kid's made me goodbye cards, and they all said thank you for helping them. When we were finished giving out the treats, I went to Mrs. McLean's room and there was nothing left for me to do. So I went with Karolina to Mrs. Greer had a bunch of photocopying and a set of word wall words to do. So I decided I would help Karolina. When we were finished we said goodbye and thank you to Mrs. Slomka and all the other teachers. It was a great experience and I am really going to miss all the kids I had a pleasure working with.

Wednesday!

When I got to St. Andrew's on Wednesday, Mrs. McLean asked me to trace out twenty two ties from her wallpaper book, for the Father's Day gifts, from the children. Karolina and I did them together, and it didn't take that long. When that was finished we had to cut and paste the kids letters on the back of the tie, and then we had to but string on each tie. When we were finished, Mrs. McLean told me that she really wanted to get all the kids to do the Father's Day gifts, so I wouldn't be reading with any today. Then she asked if Karolina and I can photocopy a bunch of things, and laminate.

Tuesday!

When I got to my placement on Tuesday, Mrs. McLean asked me to read Ticki Ticki Tembo with two of her students, and then she wanted me to go through the beginning, the middle and the end. When we were finished the students had to draw the pictures that went with the storyline. When I was finished Mrs. McLean had some word wall words for me to cut out, paste and then laminate. When I was finished the word wall words, Mrs. McLean asked me to photocopy a couple of handouts that the kids were going to use for their Father's Day gifts.

Monday

I didn't go to my placement today because I had a graduation meeting during fifth period.

Journal!

Since I have started co-op I have noticed that I have been learning a lot about the field that I am hoping to be going into. I realize that being a teacher is very time consuming, and there is a lot of pressure placed on the teaching staff. I learned that each child is so different from the other, and even though one child may understand something, another child may be confused. I learned that using different strategies and techniques can help while teaching the children. Patience, I have learned is the key and the most important skill that is needed to be a teacher. Other skills like listening skills, and problem solving skills, people skills and many others are also important for teaching. Learning all of these things before hand will help in the long run, and prepare me for what might come in the future.

Hearing nice comment from other teachers is always kind. The other day, Mrs. McLean told me that she was talking to Mrs. Slomka, and they were saying how much I have improved since I have started co-op. They think that I have learned some basic skills that are needed in the teaching field. A couple of the teachers said that they could see me in this field, and that if I need to work in a classroom in university I should contact them. Hearing these amazing comments from the people who have been in the teaching field for 10 to 25 years is great. I am now a hundred percent sure that this is something I would love to do in the future, and it is nice to know that others believe in me too. :)

Friday!

I arrived at Co-op on Friday and Mrs. Smith had a bunch of things for me to do. She asked me to title a large amount of books for her next year class. Then she asked me to photocopy a couple of books for her. When that was done, she asked me to organize word groups into plastic bags and label them. When that was done she asked me to laminate some poster for her, and then post them. When I was finally finished she told me that she was not going to be there on Monday, and because of the graduation meeting, I told her that I might not make it either. She then told me she would leave somethings just in case.