Going
into this student teaching experience, I thought that I would have an impact on
the lives of the students, but didn’t really think about how it would happen or
the obstacles that I would have to overcome. Now, as I reflect back on my
experience at Greenwood, I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to
student teach with Mr. Clark, who is an experienced teacher who was able to
give me feedback. The students at
Greenwood are amazing.
I absolutely loved my student
teaching experience at Greenwood! I love teaching agriculture! I have a passion
for agriculture and working with students. I enjoyed my student teaching
experience and I know that teaching agriculture is what I want to do for a
career as the rest of my life. I have so much fun working with the students and
even learning with them! I looked forward to each day of my student teaching
experience. It was so rewarding to see where the students started and to see
the amount of information that they learned. And seeing the “ahh-ha” moments
when the light bulb came on for the students after working with them made it
worth the frustrations that come along before the students “get it”. I love helping
the students reach their full potential. I know that this is what I am supposed
to do! The days went by so quickly, it was like I wasn’t even “working” because
I enjoyed the entire experience at Greenwood! I got to know the students and
build a rapport with them. I was also able to gain their respect and have fun
while teaching and watching them learn.
When I first
started, it was all I could do to remember the names of the students that first
week. Now, I not only know their names,
but I know their personalities, their interests, and how to motivate them! Each student is unique and in order for me to
be successful, I had to take the time to get to know each student. This started with a simple “Hello, how are
you today” in the beginning. At the end
of my student teaching experience, I have full conversations with
students. Some students come looking for
advice, whether it is a question about a math homework problem, college, or
they want to know if I like the picture of their prom dress. Other students come to tell you all about
their plans for the next Career Development Event that they want to participate
in. This did not just happen
overnight. I had to gain the trust and
respect of the students before they trusted and respected me. Building
a rapport or professional relationship with the students is crucial! I would say it’s one of the most important
aspects of being an agricultural teacher!
You have to get to know them and their interests! In order for this to
happen, you have to make an effort. Talk
to your students before and after class, take an interest in them and what they
like (other than the class you are teaching) and just genuinely care about
them. This task is not necessarily as
easy as it sounds.
The first obstacle that I had to
overcome was in my Small Gas Engines class where I taught a class of 17 senior
boys. Talk about a tough crowd… These
boys didn’t want to be taught by a girl!
Because everyone knows that girls don’t know anything about small
engines…. WRONG! It took a few weeks to
prove to them that I knew what I was talking about. Once they realized that I actually do know
what I am talking about, they began to gain respect for me. This was a slow and gradual process. Students accepted me on their own time, not
mine. I gained some student advocates
who realized that I knew what I was talking about and they helped get other
students back on task when they didn’t want to listen to me. Slowly but surely, I made progress with each
student. Even up until the last week of
student teaching I was making progress and breakthroughs with students.
National FFA Week played a role in
my ability to connect with students on a more personal level and build rapport
with them because of the activities and events that were planned. This made it possible to spend more time with
them and talk to the students individually.
I learned about their interests and even goals in life! Who knew that FFA Week would make a student
open up about their life?! I also found
that it was very beneficial to attend the basketball games. I had many of the
starting players in my classes, and attending their basketball games made a
huge difference in the classroom.
Another way that helped me make a connection with the students was
talking with them and getting to know them during my planning period when they
have study hall. These students are in the ag room and Mr. Clark originally
“voluntold” them to help me do various things. By the end of my student
teaching experience, they asked what they could do to help me out and I built
an awesome professional relationship with these students. They were my main
classroom advocates when their peers would not listen. There were a few
students in particular that encouraged me along the way, and they probably
didn't even know it. They would make comments like, "You are going to be a
great ag teacher", "I really like when you teach our class because I
learn a lot", "We want you to teach us about ____ (insert various
topics!)", "You are very professional and are a good student
teacher". These little comments made me feel good and made me feel like I
was doing it right! I was surprised at the respect that I gained from the
students, especially some of the senior boys... who know everything (or think
they do)!!! Every morning I generally see the same group of students before
school start because the same students make their way to the ag room. I always
say "GOOD MORNING ______(insert name of student) when I see them. One day,
I didn't say good morning to a particular student because I had other things
going on. This student said good morning to me first. Later, this student came
up to me and asked if everything was okay because I didn't say "Good
Morning" in my bubbly, excited voice like I do every morning. I was told
that this student knew something was wrong/on my mind because this student had
to say "Good Morning" to me first. I didn't realize the impact that I
was making, just by saying Good Morning to the students; but they came to
expect it, whether they realized it or not. Until this day, I did not realize
how many little things can impact a student's life.
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I know that I made an impact in the lives of these students, AND they
made an impact on me! I loved every minute of being at Greenwood! This was a
great experience and I was blessed to have such an awesome group of students to
work with! I could not have asked for a
better experience! When I finished a
day, I felt a personal satisfaction because I was able to impact the lives of
students. And it never felt like “work”
because I loved what I was doing! You
can’t get any more rewarding than that!
Submitted by:
Kaydee Gearhart
@KaydeeG
2013 Student Teacher
Greenwood High School
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