Throughout my student teaching I had the ability to work with a variety of different students and get to know them quite well. This was especially true in my special education placement. For many of my students, it is important to understand their background to also understand some of their struggles with school. I used this knowledge of my students to help them succeed in school by working to pair them with high school mentors who could be a positive influence in their lives. I also allowed students to work on homework during our designated reading time if I knew they would not be able to work on it at home. Getting to know my students was extremely powerful for me because it made me more aware of their needs.
Setting Instructional Outcomes
I have found that when students know why they are learning, they will be more apt to learn. Throughout my student teaching I have found out why it is so important that students know what their learning targets are. This helps them to take ownership of their learning, and because of this they are more likely to succeed. I think that by presenting learning targets, and discussing them daily, we can help students feel more connected to their learning. This is crucial because it will inspire in them a reason to pay attention, work hard, and through this they will learn more.