I had the most amazing time at my fieldwork. I was assigned to Cynthia McCusker, a seventh grade art teacher at Wappingers Junior High School. This fieldwork experience was unlike any other I've had before. My mentor teacher was so unbelievable warm and welcoming when I first arrived (and throughout). She taught me so many different strategies and techniques to teaching. For example, keeping track of participation. She would have a seating chart with the students names and where they sit and keep track of who participates by putting a symbol next to them. This is also a good technique to learning the students names. Ms. McCusker was so generous in all of the advice she had to offer and all of the worksheets and packets she provided for me. It was definitely the best learning experience I could have had. I have pages upon pages of notes that I took during the time I spent there and I already know I will be looking back at those notes in the future. I actually already have done that when Danielle and I taught our theme based lesson to the class.
I also was able to experience a snow day, which is just like having a snow day as a student. One of the best learning experience I saw was watching substitutes. I was able to see two different subs at work. They were definitely two very different experiences. The first sub I was with was a very nice woman. She showed me everything a sub needs to do. From getting the teachers materials together to filling out reports after each period and even what her approach to classroom management was. She was definitely more in control of the classes. She was stern but friendly. The second sub was the complete opposite of the first. She didn't really explain anything to me at all. Even though I saw it once before, she did not know that and it would have been nice to see her approach. But, I was in shock how the class was acting. This sub didn't really have any control over the classes and didn't seem to have any approach to classroom management. I felt like my ears were going to explode. I was very grateful that that day was the snow day and we only had a half day. This was a very good experience for me because I was able to see two different subbing situations and see what works and what doesn't and what I would like to do when I am in that situation.
Overall I couldn't have asked for a better mentor or experience. I will never forget all of the advice and wisdom that I was given. I am still in contact with Ms. McCusker and I am going to be helping her out for the festival of the arts that the junior high conducts! I think I have made not only an excellent resource in Ms. McCusker but also a great friend.
