With this feeling of unfamiliarity with the high school’s
environment, I was also overcome with enthusiasm and uneasiness. I was ready to
gain experience at the high school level, especially since I tutored at an
elementary school (Asa Messer Elementary School) for my FNED course. However, I
was also nervous to be around high school students for the first time. I figured
that observing teachers in their classrooms would help me, in all aspects, to
learn about teaching effectively. I am very interested to watch the
interactions between the teachers and their students, and I think that this
will help me best adjust to the high school setting.
Already knowing that I would be learning at CFHS, I was
primarily concerned about the SED course. I was nervous, and thus hesitant, to learn
new material, methods that would guide me as a teacher. I knew that the
pressure was on! I felt out of my comfort zone, and therefore I feel as though I
focused more on the course rather than developing certain expectations for the
school. I was similarly impressed by the innovative partnership between RIC and
CFHS, and I felt privileged to be part of such an incredible program.
As I walked into the building on that first day, I saw
that CFHS is similar to other public schools dispersed throughout Rhode Island—besides
for the school’s very poor reputation. After looking around the school for just
a little bit, it was evident that the school is dedicated to educating its
students for the future and eventual higher education. Specifically, I was
observant of the schoolwork and achievements that were strewn on the hallway
walls. It was apparent that administrators and teachers are trying to promote a
strong sense of community within their school, and I feel as though this will
inspire students to make positive choices throughout their educational careers.
Discussing my
expectations on paper has made me realize that I had positive expectations
about my upcoming experiences at CFHS. I was eager to begin a new journey in my
educational career by interacting with the educators and students at the
school. I strongly hope to leave some kind of encouraging impression on the
students that I meet. In a way, I suppose that I have expected CFHS to play a
significant component in finding my way as a future educator. I look forward to
all of the experiences that I will share in the classrooms that I visit, and
CFHS has left an inspiring lasting impression on me thus far.
