So, I finished my PSII practicum last week. I still have to finish some marking, but other than that, I am done. It was difficult and very challenging, but I'm really glad that I learned so much from it. I had gone into this practicum hoping to improve my class management skills, and with some rambunctious junior high students, I had more than a few opportunities to work on that.
My biggest challenge is managing the time that I am given. I ran out of time at the end, and I had to cut many of the projects I had wanted to do, and rushing to finish my novel studies with the students.
The first three weeks of teaching jr/sr high was about trying to figure out what I was doing and trying to get the know students. After Easter break, it all seemed to fall into place, and I started to enjoy my practicum so much more.
Today, I started a new job teaching kindergarten at a Hutterite colony school. I had substituted there before, but all the students crowded around with their many questions. How old are you? Where do you live? Do you have a boyfriend? What are your parents names? They are all so eager and cheerful.
Overall, it has been a great experience, both my PSII practicum and my one day teaching kindergarten, even if I am exhausted.