Field Experience # 3 - 6hrs. in Newark & 4hrs. In West Orange Tutoring

For New Horizons Community Charter School in Newark and Mt. Pleasant Elementary School in West Orange, I volunteered to tutor in their after-school programs. When I was at New Horizons Community Charter School, I tutored for two days in a row with different students. These students was in the second and third grade. It was frustrating in the beginning because I am used to tutoring high school students. Two of the kids was not into the math and reading, so I planned by my second day to make it a little fun. One young man is really into baseball, so I related his math problems to baseball; also using his favorite baseball player. The other student, who was not into math and reading, I tried to help but my method of "fun" did not work. It sounded like the student was going through a lot of stress and a situation that was effecting his school work. I stopped teaching him, and smiled. I asked him if he was thirsty. I went out and came back with a fruit punch and gave it to him. I explained to him that I know he does not know me, but if he wanted to talk about anything that is bothering him, I am here to listen. After I continued to help him with his lesson, he stopped me and ask me if I was him and I lost my ring that my mom brought for me, what would I do? So I told him he should tell his mother what happened, and that he feels really mad about it. Also, I told him he should say that he is truly sorry and he couldn't concentrate in his schooling....and then he smiled at me. His smile made me so happy cause I never thought I would see that from him.

When I was at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School, it was so weird that I did not have any problems at all with any of their students. Mt. Pleasant Elementary School has an amazing PTA group that provides the students with different types of programs and events. For instance, when I was tutoring on December. 6th, the PTA group set up a holiday laser light show at 7:00pm that night for every family and friends in the community. It was great! They had refreshments serving and little sandwiches. Mt. Pleasant has a very good program called Child Care After School program. In the Child Care Program, they have the students do their homework and tutoring sections in the "Learn Center". And after, the school have activities for the students to play. I had a lot of fun with all the kids in four hours of teaching and playing with them.

-Kristina

Field Experience# 2 - Faculty Meeting at Arts High School and Varsity Basketball Game with West Orange High School

On December. 7th, I attended a faculty meeting with Ms. Scott. I believe Ms. Scott is one of the best teachers at Arts High School. Because her students listens to her and shows interest compare to what other teachers who have to deal with behavioral problems with in Arts High School. Arts High school faculty meeting is for every teacher in the school who is required to attend. During the meeting, the assistant principal concern was mostly on the development of a new test prep that will help prepare students for the standardized tests. However, the teachers concern was about how to change students attitudes towards them. All the other teachers was scared to change the subject about the students behavior. Ms. Scott intruded the conversation respectfully and made a good point. She explained that making up the test prep will not change anything if students do not pay attention and be respectful to teachers. All the other teachers backed her up and explained different examples of the students actions done inside and outside the classroom. I was shock because one of the teachers said majority of her students cursed at her disrespectfully. She calls parents, they visit her and the students change their bad behavior for only a week or so. The assitant principal looked like he was writing down notes about it and then he stated he "will take care of that later". Teachers was upset.

Last night at 7:00pm, I attended West Orange High School varsity girls basketball team game. They played against Wayne Valley High School and won the game. It was so exciting to go because I played basketball all through High school and my two years of college. It made me realize how far I came in life and How exciting it would be for me to tell my stories to them about my experience of playing college ball. Hopefully, my experience in playing college ball will encourage them to go to college. The same way I applied my past experience into teaching them, is the same way I will apply my past experience of teaching into my future classroom.

-Kristina

Field Experience# 1 - Arts High school Observation

On December. 7th, last Friday, I visited Arts High School to observe a math teacher, her students, and classroom surroundings. The math teacher I observe was Ms. Kimberly Scott. I felt scared walking into the classroom. All the High School students was walking in with me. I was looking around for Ms. Scott, but i only saw students. Suddenly, I did not notice that one of the people who I thought was a student was Ms. Scott herself. Ms. Scott is so young, but "not in age" as she would say. I greeted myself to her and her students, sat down, took out my notebook, and reached for a text book under the desk. I began taken notes on the surroundings of Ms. Scott classroom. I like the way she had the tables and chairs in groups of three. Posters on the walls stating positive things and definition of math subjects. Ms. Scott was very organized; she had the objective on a big poster facing the students and she had a bin that said "homework" were the students drop it off when they arrive to class.

After Ms. Scott class was over, she sat down with me one on one. She wanted to know about me, my background, and why I have chosen teaching as one of my options? I felt like I was on a very important interview, but I love when people ask me questions similar to hers. Because I love my past and what I am trying to achieve in life. From Ms. Scott and I conversation, I learned that she graduated from Montclair State University; also for mathematical science degree with teaching. Once I found that out I kept asking her so much questions.


-Kristina