Throughout this year, I have grown so much both as an individual and as an educator. I have been pushed, challenged, and supported by so many mentors and friends that I am lucky to have in my life!
I have identified two "teaching superpowers" I have in the classroom. My first superpower is the power of love (cue Huey Lewis). I have always had a strong love and empathy for the people around me, but I really learned this year what it means to show unconditional love for my students. Every day, my students deserve to have somebody show up for them, and not every student is able to get that at home. I realized the importance of giving students clan slates, and giving them the benefit of the doubt. Knowing that they have a safe space to be their best selves. Another superpower I have developed is predicting student needs. By understanding what my students want and need, helps me to better support their learning. For example, if a student is disregulated and I know that paper and pencil will help them, by providing it to them without the need for them to tell me, builds trust.
An area for growth I am working on, is adjusting my instruction in the moment in response to students behaviors. I am building confidence in switching things up and deviating from the plan in the moment. I have been learning strategies to redirect, reset, and even pause the lesson. This helps me to avoid swimming upstream and instead go with the flow.
To be an antiracist educator, I have realized the importance of having positive role models and model texts that reflects a variety of cultures and diversities. Additionally, actively teaching social emotional learning, builds a classroom culture in which students can be themselves and embrace what makes them unique. I also believe that it is important to call people in, instead of calling them out. Especially in children, bias often stems from ignorance rather than hate. Approaching uncomfortable situations with patience and compassion is important and even vital for growth to occur.
As I dig into my M.Ed. capstone project, I am realizing there are many questions I would like to dig into. My current wondering is how I can utilize students life experiences and funds of knowledge to improve our projects at our PBL school. I am confident in incorporating state standards and student interests, now I want to focus on incorporating students strengths and abilities.