My First Clinical Experience!

Today was an interesting day for me. It was my first experience as a teacher, and I would have to say that it went better than I had imagined. My thoughts pervious to attending the 10th grade English class were hopeful, but most certainly doutful that they would actually listen to a clinical student and participate in the activity that I had planned for the day. Yes.. you can now confirm your assumptions that on my first day of entering the classroom I was actually the teacher! To be honest, I wasn't hardly nervous at all. I think I can relate with these kids a little bit because it really wasn't all too long ago that I was in the same place they are. I am so happy that the activity went well. The teacher was pleased, which made me pleased, so... win-win. Hopefully the students actually learned from what we did, but really I am just glad they listened to me and stayed on task.

I think the hardest thing about this whole teaching thing is going to be managing the students in my classroom. How can I keep them on task and interested while also keeping a low-risk and happy environment in my classroom. I want my students to feel comfortable and able to speak up, but I also want them to respect me as their teacher. I dont think there is any obvious answer to this question, but possibly just experience alone with trial and error will help me overcome this fear? I do not know. Today made me anxious to have students of my own whom I can fill their brains with lots of really cool literature and great critical analysis of texts! Sounds fun huh!