The Apple on her Desk
I had my first taste of teaching during my service learning this first semester. I had four different experiences, but the most remarkable one took place in a fourth grade classroom. Under the mentorship of a wonderful teacher, I began to see what education is all about. The second I stepped into her classroom, I knew that she was the type of teacher that I aspired to be. Her classroom was filled with books on every possible subject imaginable, colorful posters covered the walls, and best of all, there were pets! As she and I became better acquainted, her students fed the animals and looked over at me curiously. She made me feel right at home and assured me that I could just “jump right in” when I felt ready. After a period of observation, I was able to recognize her different teaching styles, her disciplinary structure, and the type of relationship she and her students shared.
Mrs. Meyers* was a very hands-on teacher. The week I arrived in her class, they were working on arthropods and were actually raising them! Her class would sit in groups of four and answer questions on the stages of development of their larva and then play with them after turning in their worksheets. During reading, they would read more on insects, and much to my surprise, the children would anxiously raise their hands to answer the questions Mrs. Meyers would ask. Because of her hands-on personality, Mrs. Meyers taught me so much about themes and units and how to effectively incorporate them into the different subject areas. When Halloween came around, she brought in her “October Box” which consisted of Halloween themed worksheets, ideas, and a list of websites. With the help of the copy machine, she helped me create a folder for myself to use in my own classroom one day. When November was nearing, she pulled out her “November Box” and we did the same again.
When it came to discipline, Mrs. Meyers was truly an inspiration. She has such patience with her students. I can only hope I learn to be just as patient. I really admired the excellent relationship Mrs. Meyers had with her students. Her students had great respect for her, and I believe that was the biggest reason why she was so successful in managing her classroom. When the class seemed to get loud, she would say: “My goodness, you cannot imagine how incredibly sad it makes me when you act this way, boys and girls!” After she said this, there would be a very long, quiet pause and then suddenly the children would scurry about trying to make her “happy” again, as if they could not stand the thought of her being upset with them. They really cared for her, and I could feel it when I walked in to the room. I think it is because she showed them nothing but the utmost respect as well.
*Personal graphic
While I did my service learning in this classroom, I tried to incorporate the things I learned in class as much as possible. After doing a response in class to an article on gender bias, I decided to observe Mrs. Myers and see how she dealt with this in her class. I paid attention to whether or not she was fair when she called one of her students. One of the biggest things I noticed was the wonderful sense of inclusion she gave every single one of the students in her class. No matter what gender, race, or language her students spoke, she was always fair and careful at making every single one of her students feel included.
The experience I had in this classroom as a whole was remarkable, but I will always remember one particular incident more than any other. As it turned out, on my last day of service learning, Mrs. Meyers had to leave early, so a substitute came in. While the children were away at recess, and the substitute went over the assigned lessons, I worked on my “November Folder.” Just as I was finishing up, the sub looked up at me with a panicked look and asked me if I knew what a cumulous cloud was. Because I love reading about weather and things of that nature, I answered her question. When she realized that I knew what I was talking about, she asked me if I would be interested in teaching a lesson on different clouds and weather fronts. Although I was extremely nervous, I knew I could not pass up this awesome opportunity, so I said yes. With ten minutes until the children returned from recess, I quickly wrote up a lesson outline and prepared myself. When the kids finally came in, I went to the front of the room and turned on the overhead. Without thinking twice about it, I began the discussion. I pointed at pictures, and answered questions and gave examples. It was so exciting! It felt so natural, I really loved it. It was at that moment that I knew teaching was definitely for me.
I learned so many things about teaching in Mrs. Meyers’ classroom, and I will always be thankful to her for showing me what teaching is all about. I learned that there is just this incredibly powerful thing about teaching. As a teacher, you have the power to shape the way a child thinks. You have the power to instill upon them positive thoughts that will shape the way they are when they become adults. You have the power to offer them the kindness and caring that some of their parents will not or do not have time to give them. You have the power to help them form a positive image of themselves, and to give them the hope that they can do anything they set their hearts to. You can be the difference between a child who succeeds and one who does not. Your kind ways can be a child’s last resort, the last ray of hope they see in their life. Just as I was getting ready to leave on that last day of service learning, a little girl walked up to Mrs. Meyers’ desk and placed a sheet of paper on it. She then grabbed a tissue, wiped her nose, and quietly walked back to her seat. I thought nothing of it until a little later when I got up to return Mrs. Meyers’ stapler to her desk. There in the middle of her desk sat the paper the little girl had left. When I saw it, I couldn’t help but get a little teary-eyed. There on that desk lay the whole reason I want to teach. On the paper was a picture of an apple, and the following note:
“Mrs. Meyers: I really missed you today.
I hope you had fun wherever you were.
You are the best teacher in the world.
I hope you are here on Monday.”
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