Experience in the Field
Spring 2013
KATZ Academy in Camden, NJ
Kindergarten Paraprofessional
Something that sets Camden aside from other school districts is the background of inner city students. There is a different feeling, a different passion, and a different drive. Working in Camden has given me the opportunity to learn more about inner-city students and their culture. Particularly, the students’ diversity and background was something that was quite compelling. Even more inspiring was the students’ desire to learn. However some did not have a desire to learn; Fortunately, I was able to work with some of these students firsthand. Through much motivation, care, and support, these students began to see school differently. They worked harder as they set goals and reached them. They realized they were capable and began to accomplish so much more than they knew they could. Truly, this was an amazing experience.
Fall 2012
Holly Glen Elementary School in Williamstown, NJ
1st Grade General Classroom
Being apart of a year long pilot program of a Professional Development School has played an integral part of my educational experience. I have been able to grow in more ways than I could have ever imagined. I have been pushed to reach my greatest potential and to reach for more. Most importantly, this is where I learned to be a successful teacher: to meet the needs of the whole child in a safe, engaging, and challenging learning environment. This is where I learned how to help build a safe environment by creating an active learning community where all students feel accepted, loved, and supported by one another and their teacher. Together, we created an engaging environment where students are participating and sharing experiences and thought, while making connections to their community and world around them. Most importantly, I learned how powerful differentiated instruction is; to meet the needs of every learner by creating lesson plans that support the needs of the students in my specific classroom. From this experience, I have become passionate as a life-long learner, to always strengthen my instruction through research and collaboration with others.
Spring 2012
Holly Glen Elementary School in Williamstown, NJ
1st Grade General Classroom
Holly Glen creates such a warm and welcoming environment from the moment you walk in the door. Throughout the Rowan education program, I have learned from several teachers in different grades. At Holly Glen, I learned more than I ever thought in a first grade classroom. First graders love to have fun! As a teacher, it is so important to create a fun, intriguing atmosphere so students are excited about learning. This Professional Development School (PDS) gave me the chance to see myself as a "teacher" for the very first time! As awkward as it was to hear "Ms. Hutchinson," it was the moment I realized that I am a teacher in the students' eyes, not a student. It was my "Aha" moment, as Oprah Winfrey may call it. This experience gave me the opportunity to plan more diverse lesson plans for the classroom. Because first grade is the youngest grade I have experienced in my practicum, I learned the significance of recognizing grade level abilities. Although teachers must meet the curriculum of both the state and the school, I also learned that a successful teacher considers the needs and preferences of each student.
Fall 2011
St. Margaret's Regional School in Woodbury Heights, NJ
Latchkey Afterschool Program
I am currently working at St. Margaret's afterschool program where I am fortunate to learn about students outside of the classroom. This opportunity has helped me learn how to deal with daily tasks among young students, including bullying intervention, assistance in homework, guidance, coaching and supporting, and leadership in helping students develop their future aspirations.
Dr. William Mennies Elementary School in Vineland, NJ
3rd Grade General Classroom
What a wonderful experience at Mennie's School! I am grateful for this opportunity because I learned the benefits of implementing new practices. My cooperating teacher was so active in learning and teaching new information to the students by using the Reading Cafe, a great way for students to focus on comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and expanding vocabulary. As a Writing Arts major, I also appreciated the Writer's Workshop approach. Students were so proud when they sat in the Author's Chair to share their own writing! In my Tutoring Writing Course at Rowan, I was eager to learn why schools didn't focus on writer workshops. This was my first time ever seeing this implemented in a classroom and what a success it was! This was also the first time I ever taught a full lesson. My partner and I focused on a Cultural theme which examined the Chinese, Italian, and Irish culture, while touching on other cultures similarites and differences. (I will upload the lesson plan shortly.)
Spring 2011
Broad Street Elementary School in Bridgeton, NJ
7th Grade Bilingual Writing Class
8th Grade Bilingual Writing Class
Broad Street Elementary was a very different experience than Camden's Molina elementary. At Broad Street, I was
fortunately blessed with the opporunity to learn more about the Spanish culture. In the beginning visits, I feared I would not be able to communicate with the students since many only speak Spanish. However, by the third visit, I
became more comfortable with the transistion. Surprisingly, I understood more Spanish than I thought I would. While working in small groups during a guided reading activity, I was able to help students identify new vocabulary. In doing so, I also learned some new words in their language. (See TLC II Field Reflection - Bridgeton, NJ)
Fall 2010
Molina Elementary School in Camden, NJ
3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Special Education
My experience at Molina was one I will never forget. As my first extensive visit in the field, I finally experienced what goes on in the classroom from a teacher's perspective. I was given the opportunity to work one-on-one with students in reading, writing, and math lessons. The most rewarding event was seeing a student believe in himself. Students were at five different stations. This particular student was at the writing center. Instead of working on his paper on Christopher Columbus, he sat with his hood over his head. At first, I asked him what was going on. He ignored me. I asked him why he wasn't writing. He still did not respond. Finally, I told him to take the hood off his head and write. He refused. I explained to him how important it was to complete his work. I also explained to him that it is his choice to do nothing or to work. "I know you can do this! As smart as you are, you can do anything! I would love for you to show us all what you can do! But, it is your choice to make the difference-to show me what you got! And I know you certainly have a lot to offer!" At this point, I walked away and let him work. He thought for a moment. Then the hood came off. With pencil in hand, he began to write. At the end of the 20 minutes, he ran over to me, and said "Look, what I've got! I finished!" I admired his work and told him how proud I was of him. "See what you can do when you try! Excellent job today!"
KATZ Academy in Camden, NJ
Kindergarten Paraprofessional
Something that sets Camden aside from other school districts is the background of inner city students. There is a different feeling, a different passion, and a different drive. Working in Camden has given me the opportunity to learn more about inner-city students and their culture. Particularly, the students’ diversity and background was something that was quite compelling. Even more inspiring was the students’ desire to learn. However some did not have a desire to learn; Fortunately, I was able to work with some of these students firsthand. Through much motivation, care, and support, these students began to see school differently. They worked harder as they set goals and reached them. They realized they were capable and began to accomplish so much more than they knew they could. Truly, this was an amazing experience.
Fall 2012
Holly Glen Elementary School in Williamstown, NJ
1st Grade General Classroom
Being apart of a year long pilot program of a Professional Development School has played an integral part of my educational experience. I have been able to grow in more ways than I could have ever imagined. I have been pushed to reach my greatest potential and to reach for more. Most importantly, this is where I learned to be a successful teacher: to meet the needs of the whole child in a safe, engaging, and challenging learning environment. This is where I learned how to help build a safe environment by creating an active learning community where all students feel accepted, loved, and supported by one another and their teacher. Together, we created an engaging environment where students are participating and sharing experiences and thought, while making connections to their community and world around them. Most importantly, I learned how powerful differentiated instruction is; to meet the needs of every learner by creating lesson plans that support the needs of the students in my specific classroom. From this experience, I have become passionate as a life-long learner, to always strengthen my instruction through research and collaboration with others.
Spring 2012
Holly Glen Elementary School in Williamstown, NJ
1st Grade General Classroom
Holly Glen creates such a warm and welcoming environment from the moment you walk in the door. Throughout the Rowan education program, I have learned from several teachers in different grades. At Holly Glen, I learned more than I ever thought in a first grade classroom. First graders love to have fun! As a teacher, it is so important to create a fun, intriguing atmosphere so students are excited about learning. This Professional Development School (PDS) gave me the chance to see myself as a "teacher" for the very first time! As awkward as it was to hear "Ms. Hutchinson," it was the moment I realized that I am a teacher in the students' eyes, not a student. It was my "Aha" moment, as Oprah Winfrey may call it. This experience gave me the opportunity to plan more diverse lesson plans for the classroom. Because first grade is the youngest grade I have experienced in my practicum, I learned the significance of recognizing grade level abilities. Although teachers must meet the curriculum of both the state and the school, I also learned that a successful teacher considers the needs and preferences of each student.
Fall 2011
St. Margaret's Regional School in Woodbury Heights, NJ
Latchkey Afterschool Program
I am currently working at St. Margaret's afterschool program where I am fortunate to learn about students outside of the classroom. This opportunity has helped me learn how to deal with daily tasks among young students, including bullying intervention, assistance in homework, guidance, coaching and supporting, and leadership in helping students develop their future aspirations.
Dr. William Mennies Elementary School in Vineland, NJ
3rd Grade General Classroom
What a wonderful experience at Mennie's School! I am grateful for this opportunity because I learned the benefits of implementing new practices. My cooperating teacher was so active in learning and teaching new information to the students by using the Reading Cafe, a great way for students to focus on comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and expanding vocabulary. As a Writing Arts major, I also appreciated the Writer's Workshop approach. Students were so proud when they sat in the Author's Chair to share their own writing! In my Tutoring Writing Course at Rowan, I was eager to learn why schools didn't focus on writer workshops. This was my first time ever seeing this implemented in a classroom and what a success it was! This was also the first time I ever taught a full lesson. My partner and I focused on a Cultural theme which examined the Chinese, Italian, and Irish culture, while touching on other cultures similarites and differences. (I will upload the lesson plan shortly.)
Spring 2011
Broad Street Elementary School in Bridgeton, NJ
7th Grade Bilingual Writing Class
8th Grade Bilingual Writing Class
Broad Street Elementary was a very different experience than Camden's Molina elementary. At Broad Street, I was
fortunately blessed with the opporunity to learn more about the Spanish culture. In the beginning visits, I feared I would not be able to communicate with the students since many only speak Spanish. However, by the third visit, I
became more comfortable with the transistion. Surprisingly, I understood more Spanish than I thought I would. While working in small groups during a guided reading activity, I was able to help students identify new vocabulary. In doing so, I also learned some new words in their language. (See TLC II Field Reflection - Bridgeton, NJ)
Fall 2010
Molina Elementary School in Camden, NJ
3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Special Education
My experience at Molina was one I will never forget. As my first extensive visit in the field, I finally experienced what goes on in the classroom from a teacher's perspective. I was given the opportunity to work one-on-one with students in reading, writing, and math lessons. The most rewarding event was seeing a student believe in himself. Students were at five different stations. This particular student was at the writing center. Instead of working on his paper on Christopher Columbus, he sat with his hood over his head. At first, I asked him what was going on. He ignored me. I asked him why he wasn't writing. He still did not respond. Finally, I told him to take the hood off his head and write. He refused. I explained to him how important it was to complete his work. I also explained to him that it is his choice to do nothing or to work. "I know you can do this! As smart as you are, you can do anything! I would love for you to show us all what you can do! But, it is your choice to make the difference-to show me what you got! And I know you certainly have a lot to offer!" At this point, I walked away and let him work. He thought for a moment. Then the hood came off. With pencil in hand, he began to write. At the end of the 20 minutes, he ran over to me, and said "Look, what I've got! I finished!" I admired his work and told him how proud I was of him. "See what you can do when you try! Excellent job today!"