Finding My Place

The famous question I keep getting from family, friends, peers and professors is
 "where will you student teach?"

This question to many outside of the world of education seems like an easy question to answer however; it is more complex than just naming a random school.

In order to even come up with a list of schools I would like to visit I had to talk to reflect on what I wanted in a cooperating center. What will grow me as I transform into a more confident teacher?

I remembered an activity we did in class one night that made us look at strengths and weaknesses as it related to ourselves as professional educators. It was from that chart I started building characteristics of a cooperating teacher and school that will help me strengthen some skills and traits needed to be an educator.

From that class I realized I want a school that I can:
Work with middle schoolers
Gain confidence
Grow my content knowledge in plant science, agricultural mechanics and natural resources
Work with students in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE)
Work with students in FFA committees

With these basic starter set of goals that I want to get out of my student teaching internship I can now look at some programs and know what questions to ask when I make these visits.

Gave students customer service scenarios at Bald Eagle to react to!

I have started my visits at Bald Eagle Middle and High School and had a great day working with students in Mr.Biddle's class! After one visit down I am excited to check out a few more schools before making one of the hardest decision thus far in my education.