Through performing twenty hours of service learning with a wonderful mentor, I feel more comfortable in the classroom environment. My experience at Power Ranch Elementary School will remain in my heart forever. I will practice what I have seen and been taught in regards to great teaching for my very own future classroom and more closely, internship. Below is a final reflection paper focusing on my mentor teacher and the great example and inspiration she was to me. Each segment entitled, A Leader is... contains a glimpse of a real experience that I saw and/or took part in. Then, below each story, is a reflection about what I learned from each experience. I hope you enjoy reading about my service learning experience as much as I enjoyed taking part in it.
(The song, "Following the Leader," in Peter Pan inspired me to base my thoughts on leaders, more specifically, teachers. I feel that teachers are the leaders that mold and shape future leaders. At my service learning site, I was fortunate to watch and assist a genuine, true leader who happens to be a fourth grade teacher).
Following the leader, the leader, the leader
[I’m] following the leader wherever [she] may go
[I] won't be home till [evening], till [evening]
[I] won't be home till [evening]
Because [she] told me so
Tee dum, tee dee
A teedle ee do tee day
[I’m] out for fun
And this is the game [I] play:
[Go on, read on]
[And watch me on my way]
With a teedle ee dum
A teedle do tee day
[I’m] following the leader, the leader, the leader
[I’m] following the leader wherever [she] may go
[I] won't be home till [evening], till [evening]
[I] won't be home till [evening]
Because [she] told me so
Tee dum, tee dee
A teedle ee do tee day
[I] watch all day and
These are the words I say:
Tee dum, tee dee,
A teedle deelde deeay
Oh, a teedle ee dum
A teedle ee do tee day
Just as the lost boys followed Peter Pan while singing a similar song, I had the opportunity to follow another leader, a teacher. At Power Ranch Elementary School in Gilbert, Arizona; I had the opportunity of performing twenty hours of service learning in a fourth grade classroom. My mentor teacher, a source of strength and guidance, showed me through her actions what a dedicated, loving, wonderful leader/teacher is. Below are four of her redeeming qualities that I will one day emulate in my very own classroom. My future students will benefit from the example I have seen by Ms. Sarilyn Halfpop.
Ingredients:
120 students
25 parents
4 fourth grade teachers
1 principal
150 hot dogs
150 bags of chips
Endless amounts of soda
1 soccer field
1 Arizona birthday cake
160 blankets
8 page Arizona Activity Packet
All the fun possible!
Instructions:
“Ready guys: 1, 2, and 3. Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday,
On February 14, 2005, the entire fourth grade entered the soccer field, eager to celebrate
“Please form two lines so that we can distribute the food in an organized fashion. You can take one hot dog, one bag of chips, and one soda. Then, go find your friends, sit down, and eat. After eating and throwing away trash, start working on your
After announcing the format for the party, Ms. Halfpop turned to me and said,
“Do not feel like I am ditching you, but I am in charge of this BBQ and need to walk around while making sure everything is okay. You can grab some food and hang out with the students if you would like?”
"Thanks, that sounds like fun!” I said.
Ms. Halfpop then hurriedly ran to the food tables and started to help distribute food to the crowd. After grabbing a soda, I walked over to a group of students from Ms. Halfpop’s class and asked if I could sit with them.
“Of course you can, Miss Farrelly,” they all replied in unison.
I was so excited! I spent most of the event talking with fourth graders about casual conversation topics, such as who everyone in the fourth grade is dating, the cutest boys in
After cleaning and helping the students leave for the day, I asked Ms. Halfpop a question. I asked her how she got “stuck” being in charge of the entire BBQ. Her answer surprised me and I will remember it always. She looked at me and told me that she did not get “stuck” doing this event, rather she volunteered. She further explained that teachers need to be involved. She also told me that fourth graders may not remember what lessons were taught in class, but they will remember events, such as the BBQ. In addition, Ms. Halfpop wants the students to remember that she was involved and interested in their happiness. I realized that being involved as a teacher does not and should not be an extra thing teachers have to do. Rather, teachers should volunteer and be excited for extra events. Just as I am involved in college as part of T.O.T (teacher club on campus), I want to be involved as a teacher and build respectful, positive relationships with my students.
“Class, today we are going to learn all there is to know about the food chain. To begin, Ms. Farrelly is going to read a book, entitled Who Eats What? by Patricia Lauber. Listen carefully because I will be asking questions after to see if you understand what is going on.”
(After I finished reading the book…and after the comprehension questions were answered…)
“Okay, guys. Now, we are going to complete an activity. On each person’s desk, Ms. Farrelly has placed goldfish crackers, gummy worms, teddy graham crackers, and sour patches with a worksheet displaying blank trophic levels. You are to glue the food items in the proper order. You may eat the leftovers when you have finished the project. Alright, you may begin.”
(After the food activity…)
“We are now going to view a PowerPoint presentation that I have created for you. Fill out the worksheet on your desk when an answer is uncovered through the PowerPoint.”
(And, after the PowerPoint…)
“As a group of three, all of you guys are now going to create your own mini food chain. Located on each team’s desk are five different colored strips of paper. You are to write and draw a picture of an
(Finally, after the chain activity…)
“I now hope you have all learned something about food chains. Are there any questions?”
This lesson plan was very creative and thought provoking on behalf of Ms. Halfpop. She explained to me that she created and designed this lesson idea for her application to become AZ Student Teacher of the Year, which she ended up becoming. Not only did this one lesson teach science, but students were also learning about writing, and reading. Thematic units are great ways to use time wisely. I realize, however, that not all lessons can be this complicated and involved, but being creative goes a long way. The entire class was focused, learning, on task, and having fun at the same time. This was just one creative example of the many lessons I witnessed in her classroom. As I was preparing the two lessons I would teach her students, I worked hard on creating creative lesson ideas so that I could make Ms. Halfpop proud. I also wanted her students to feel as if Ms. Halfpop was teaching them herself. The ultimate lesson her creativeness taught me was that students need to be involved with their learning process and I need to “think outside the box” and have colorful lesson plans for my future students.
Dear Ms. Halfpop:
I just want to thank you for making me feel comfortable in your classroom. From the moment I walked in and looked around, I knew I was going to have a wonderful experience. All of the colors depicted in your classroom amazed me. I especially loved your reading center. The large, bright rug, bookshelves with a plethora of books, futon, pillows, artificial plants, and stuffed animals made the reading center attractive and “home-like.”
I also loved all of the student work depicted on the walls. This demonstrated to me that you are so proud of your students and all their accomplishments. I also felt wonderful when you displayed the students' work that I helped them with during my literature lessons. I felt like my ideas were well received in your classroom. In addition, thank you for all of the handouts and copies of ideas, worksheets, and craft projects. I have them filed away for later usage when I become a teacher. All of your ideas are wonderful.
Lastly, I greatly appreciate the time you spent answering all of my questions. The many discussions we had have been beneficial to me. I have learned so much in your classroom and feel better prepared to teach on my own one day. You have been an amazing mentor and because you and your class were so inviting, I never felt afraid or scared to reach a new height in my progress of becoming a teacher. Thanks again, and enjoy the rest of the school year!
Sincerely,
Heidi Farrelly
CGCC Student
From the minute I walked into Ms. Halfpop’s classroom, I felt good about being there. They say you can tell a lot about a teacher by her surroundings and from what I saw and came to understand was that Ms. Halfpop invited all into her classroom and made them feel welcome. I felt like I had known her for years. I also noticed that she had an inviting attitude with her students. As a result, mutual respect and adoration made the classroom a happy place to learn. When I become a teacher, I hope to decorate my classroom so that all feel comfortable and accepted. I hope to allow and invite a positive student-teacher relationship. I want my students respect, and in turn they need me to respect them.
Ms. Halfpop, who is only in her second year of teaching, has accomplished or is in the process of accomplishing many amazing things. Her hard work and determination pays off in the classroom. I asked her how she finds time to attend so many workshops and take masters classes while teaching. She said for learning, she makes time. She quotes, “I need to keep myself up-to-date when it comes to teaching. I expect my students to learn everyday, so why should I not learn every day?” Ms. Halfpop has inspired me to go forward steadfastly towards my bachelor’s degree, and to even pursue my masters degree. I also want to attend teacher training workshops and seminars now, in college, so that I can be the best teacher imaginable that first year. One of my favorite quotes that continues being my motto by John Cotton Dana is, “Who dares to teach, must never cease to learn.” Teachers need to know the material so well that they can teach it. Education is so important and not only do students need to learn every day, but teachers do as well.
As shown, I had a great leader to follow. Constantly learning, providing an inviting atmosphere and attitude, being creative and involved are only some of the many steps in becoming a great leader/teacher. I know that there can only be one Sarilyn Halfpop, but I can take the gifts and talents I already have and add these four things to my list. Teaching is a life long process, but when guided by an excellent example, the follower can in fact, become the leader, Oh, a teedle ee dum, a teedle ee do tee day.
Image: http://www.jacan.org/uploads/9.jpg
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