Out of the Institution

Institute is finally over. For our last day, we had a writing celebration for our class and each student presented their non-fiction book. Sabrina illustrated her book about schools. She taught us about the different types of schools in New York City. In her "about the author" section, she encouraged all of us to try school out because we might like it too! I will miss students like Sabrina. She always helped others, worked hard, respected her peers, and had a smile on her face. Her grandmother and little sister came to hear her read her book on the last day of school. Sabrina's eyes lit up when they walked into the room, and she was all smiles as she read her book aloud to the class.

Each student worked so hard on their books! Some of them even asked if they could take them home to work on them. Students asking for homework at Public School 86! Ms. Tybinka and I were truly lucky to have such a wonderful class. Here is a picture of everyone with their books.

I love the different personalities that come in a classroom. From math wizards to students who have an opinion on EVERYTHING, we had a classroom culture that invited everyone to speak, to work hard, and to enjoy in each other's achievements.


Institute gave us a crash course on how to become a teacher. All I know is that I have long way to go. One day, I walked around my classroom checking on individual students. One of my students, always had a smile on his face and acted like he understood. Immigrating from Yugoslavia a year earlier, he did a great job at answering verbally to my questions during the lesson. I thought he understood the concepts and how to do the assignment. My advisor had been pushing us to give students books that were on their reading level. Thinking most of my kids were near the same 4-5 grade level, I created a worksheet that I believed was on each student's level. As I checked on this particular student, he had already written an answer. I asked him, "How did you get this answer?"

He just smiled. I noticed it was wrong, so I said,"Will you read the question for me?"

As he began to read, he struggled with pronouncing the different letters and making words out of the sounds. He could not read it! It really hit me that I was not doing my job because I expected him to read at a fifth grade level when he was reading on a first grade level! Even though he acted like he understood, his literacy ability hindered him from truly mastering the concepts. I realized I need to know the needs of my students before I can help them achieve high expectations.

I have a long ways to go!

Institute seems like a blur. We are out of the St. John's/ TFA bubble. I will not miss the school bus that picked us up in the crisp morning air, and dropped us off after we peeled ourselves from the sweaty, sticky seats. I will miss walking five flights of stairs to PS 86 room 504 and witnessing fifteen of the brightest minds in the Bronx at work.

My favorite educators loved what they taught and helped me love the subject too. Who inspired/influenced you?