“Educators contribute to the profession” – Taken from BCTC’s Professional Standards for BC Educators.
Before the start of my 490 four-week practicum at Southridge Elementary during the two week observation and visitation period, I got the opportunity to accompany my coaching teacher to Masich Place Stadium as a teacher volunteer for the relay races that were happening on this particular day. I was extremely excited about the opportunity to go on this field trip for two reasons- I had never been on a field trip before so I hadn’t experienced what it was like to be one of the people in charge of a large group of students and I was also excited for the relationship building that would occur between my coaching teacher and I as well as between myself and the other Southridge teachers and education assistants that were accompanying us as well. Since this field trip was before practicum even started, I was hoping that my participation in this activity would show my drive, initiative, and dedication to my practicum and to taking every opportunity I could that would guide me to becoming the best teacher that I can be. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen or what would be expected of me when I arrived, I just expressed that I would be willing to help wherever I was needed. I ended up out on the track at the loading zone helping another teacher from Southridge line the students up in their proper lane, explain the rules of the race, explain where the students were going on the track based on if they were the first, second, third, or fourth runner in the race, and directing them to the proper location when we were told it was time to do so. Everything ran very smooth and when I met up with my coaching teacher at the end of the day, she said no one would believe her when she told them that I was a practicum student and not a teacher because they had never seen this part of the race organization run as smoothly as it had on this day.
During my time at Southridge I also participated and volunteered for the Welcome to Kindergarten event and I was a presence in my coaching teacher’s classroom as parents came for student led conferences and portfolio viewings but I will always be grateful I participated in this relay field trip. After this day, I felt the collegiality shift between my coaching teacher and I- she saw me as more of her equal and friend and treated me as such instead of as her student and someone who was not yet certified and less experienced. I also felt a shift between myself and the other staff members who were present at the field trip- we would say hi as we passed each other in the hallway and they would always ask about how my lessons and practicum was going when I would see them walking around the school or in the photocopier room. I took initiative and made myself a presence in this school not only during the work day but during extra curricular and after school activities and this showed the staff that I was actively trying to become a member of their school community leading to better relationships and a greater feeling of collegiality and respect than I had felt prior. Four weeks is a very short period of time but because I was able to develop such a relationship with staff members during this time, I can’t wait to apply myself in the same way and to see what will happen in my 10 week practicum.