A Long Semester. A Lot Of Stress. A Happy Ending!

Science and Technology Methods has been one of my favorite classes so far. This class has provided me with many great opportunities. I got to participate in and judge a Science Fair. I got to create a book trailer, teach a 5th grade class and work with great co-teacher candidates who have taught me so much more than a classroom or textbook ever could. I also learned a lot from my very knowledgeable professor Dr. Smirnova.

Some other great things I took away from this class are presentation tips, confidence in my teaching and great technology platforms that I can use in my future classrooms. I know the experiences and lessons I took away from this class will be things I look back on and use in my years to come.

My favorite part of this class was the teamwork and support that every co-teacher candidate in the classroom provided. We all provided our own take on topics and contributed our own background and personal knowledge. Our reflective practices were also very beneficial. We were to comment on each others presentations leaving constructive criticism yet highlighting what we think was done well. These tips really helped me develop my own style of teaching and learn from my mistakes. I enjoyed commenting on my peers blogs and reading them to see how our opinions on different topics were similar and different. Some of my peers blogs that I commented on were:
Melissa's Blog
Erin's Blog
Amanda's Blog
Alyssa's Blog
Daniela's Blog

In the beginning of the class I was not comfortable with teaching any part of science. Though it is my favorite subject, I had no prior experience in teaching it. Working with Dr. Smirnova, my co-teacher candidates and the different forms of technology, I am not very confident in my ability to teach science to elementary students as well as incorporate a variety technological resources that are educational yet engaging. I feel that during this course I was really able to grow as not only a future educator, but as a professional team member as well. I was given the chance to form may different professional relationships and I feel I took advantage of that by working with and getting to know my different classmates.

I will certainly miss this class but I will forever be thankful for the lessons that it has taught me. Dr. Smirnova was kind enough to make us all Certificates of Survival to always remind us of our growth over the last 16 weeks. This certificate is well worth working for.