This experience has shaped my teacher identity and confronted some stereotypes/assumptions in ways that I could have never imagined. This is my first experience in a classroom not being a student. I enjoyed every minute of it. One of the biggest things that I think changed about myself is that I never imagined myself as an inner city school teacher. I am not really sure why, perhaps fear or lack of experiences. Now, having firsthand experience and knowing the statistics that these students, whom I now know personally, are faced with, I think this is where I belong. Only 20% of the kindergarteners in my school are ready for first grade at the end of the school year. This breaks my heart and makes me want to change it in anyway I can.
From observing, I have learned some do's and don'ts of teaching, and also some things that I would do differently from other teachers. A do is, do set your expectations regarding behavior and their participation before you start an activity. I have found that they are much better behaved if they know what you expect of them from the beginning. On the other hand, do not yell at the top of your lungs for an entire period because you will receive zero respect from your students. I observed this everyday from the art classroom where the literacy office is located. I think my biggest fear is not having control over my class. I heard my classroom teacher make references to moms and dads and Santa Clause. I will not in my classroom because I am educated to understand that not all students have moms and dads and Santa Clause, or even if they do have Santa, maybe he is not affordable.
I think that all of the theorists that we have studied are somewhat related and they have all certainly shaped my teacher Identity for the better. I want my classroom to be a democratic one where all voices are heard and everyone participates. I want to give my students meaning and understanding to what they are doing and why they are doing it. I also want them to be able to question me and the material. I want my students to experience education as something they do, not something that is done to them. By allowing all students to participate and welcoming all voices, we may encourage some negative things. I want this in my class so we can critically analyze any of these statements together and get to the bottom of it. I want to give my students the critical agency they need to protect themselves. Most of all, I want my class to be a safe place where kids can be excited and eager to learn new things. I think Shor, Boler, and all of the other theorists would agree.
