Experiences
Elementary Observation:
I spent several weeks in Mrs. Smiley's 1st Grade Classroom at Brown Elementary. I learned just how expansive the world of elementary teaching is... Secondary educators usually teach only one subject, but elementary teachers have to monitor the progress of multiple subjects for 25 children who can have a vast array of abilities and disabilities. I was definitely humbled by this experience.
Hilliard Crossing's Genius Hour:
The Academy EDU students went to Hilliard Crossing Elementary once every two weeks throughout the school year to discuss Passions with the elementary students. Our goal was to show students how to investigate their personal Passions and to help them create a showcase of their knowledge by the end of the year. The event was a success, and though it was fairly hectic all along, I'm glad to have been a part of the process.
Hilliard Horizon Accelerated Math Student:
In mid-October of my Junior year, my Academy EDU teachers were contacted by staff members at Horizon Elementary school. They had a 3rd grade student who was very accelerated in Mathematics, and they weren't quite sure what to do with him. Even when they sent him to a 5th grade classroom for Math, he was bored and actually taught the content to the 5th graders. The staff requested a high school student to work with him and perhaps find something he didn't yet know...
I began to spend my study halls once or twice a week with this boy, planning to work through sixth grade math content by the end of the year. However, my first day was a real eye-opener. His mind was like a steel-trap; anything I told him, he instantly understood and remembered. Before I knew it, we were working on Algebraic graphing and Precalculus concepts like the Unit Circle. He was eventually moved up to fifth grade mid-year, and is now a sixth grader taking Pre-algebra, which will allow him to take Algebra 1 next year as a ten-year-old. I know he'll fly right through it too; I worked with the District Secondary Math Coach to make sure he had covered almost all 9th grade Math content. This is by far the most powerful experience I have had through Academy EDU, and I'm forever thankful for the opportunity to work with this boy.
Darby Creek Elementary Focus Students:
I've spent several weeks with the elementary gifted program, called FOCUS, at Darby Creek Elementary. I worked with 4th and 5th graders from several elementary schools to show them how there is so much more to explore in this world than just arithmetic, reading and writing. I was even able to help them with their Invention Convention projects and acted as a judge during their presentation night. Focus was my favorite class as an elementary student, and it was my favorite phase of observations through Academy EDU.
Hilliard Memorial Middle School Math:
As I intend to become a Secondary Math teacher, it was inevitable that I would spend some time in a middle school. Observing Mr. Koob's 7th grade classes at Memorial Middle School gave me a good idea of what it's like to work with students from the other end of the spectrum, who don't learn as quickly as gifted students. Mr. Koob had an ELL class with students who spoke 7 different languages, from Spanish and Arabic to Japanese and Hindi dialects. His approach to this obstacle was inspiring to me, and his belief that the students can succeed regardless of their language barrier was phenomenal. I really like the idea that since Math is a universal language, it can be taught through a language barrier.
Hilliard Bradley High School Math:
I spent most of my Senior year in the Algebra II and AP Calculus AB classrooms. This was a great way for me to work with students on higher-level, abstract concepts. I really enjoyed this all year long, and it has definitely shown me that I've chosen the right path for my life. It also was a great way to see contrasting teaching methods: Mrs. Horne taught her A2 class more directly, with lots of classroom lecture/explanation time. Mr. Gmerek gave the students information to start with, and then drifted around the room to assist them as they taught themselves. Both methods work well when performed correctly, so I'll have to decide if I want to use one of those approaches someday, or a mixture of both. Overall, this was a great opportunity for me to experience high school math from the other side.
I spent several weeks in Mrs. Smiley's 1st Grade Classroom at Brown Elementary. I learned just how expansive the world of elementary teaching is... Secondary educators usually teach only one subject, but elementary teachers have to monitor the progress of multiple subjects for 25 children who can have a vast array of abilities and disabilities. I was definitely humbled by this experience.
Hilliard Crossing's Genius Hour:
The Academy EDU students went to Hilliard Crossing Elementary once every two weeks throughout the school year to discuss Passions with the elementary students. Our goal was to show students how to investigate their personal Passions and to help them create a showcase of their knowledge by the end of the year. The event was a success, and though it was fairly hectic all along, I'm glad to have been a part of the process.
Hilliard Horizon Accelerated Math Student:
In mid-October of my Junior year, my Academy EDU teachers were contacted by staff members at Horizon Elementary school. They had a 3rd grade student who was very accelerated in Mathematics, and they weren't quite sure what to do with him. Even when they sent him to a 5th grade classroom for Math, he was bored and actually taught the content to the 5th graders. The staff requested a high school student to work with him and perhaps find something he didn't yet know...
I began to spend my study halls once or twice a week with this boy, planning to work through sixth grade math content by the end of the year. However, my first day was a real eye-opener. His mind was like a steel-trap; anything I told him, he instantly understood and remembered. Before I knew it, we were working on Algebraic graphing and Precalculus concepts like the Unit Circle. He was eventually moved up to fifth grade mid-year, and is now a sixth grader taking Pre-algebra, which will allow him to take Algebra 1 next year as a ten-year-old. I know he'll fly right through it too; I worked with the District Secondary Math Coach to make sure he had covered almost all 9th grade Math content. This is by far the most powerful experience I have had through Academy EDU, and I'm forever thankful for the opportunity to work with this boy.
Darby Creek Elementary Focus Students:
I've spent several weeks with the elementary gifted program, called FOCUS, at Darby Creek Elementary. I worked with 4th and 5th graders from several elementary schools to show them how there is so much more to explore in this world than just arithmetic, reading and writing. I was even able to help them with their Invention Convention projects and acted as a judge during their presentation night. Focus was my favorite class as an elementary student, and it was my favorite phase of observations through Academy EDU.
Hilliard Memorial Middle School Math:
As I intend to become a Secondary Math teacher, it was inevitable that I would spend some time in a middle school. Observing Mr. Koob's 7th grade classes at Memorial Middle School gave me a good idea of what it's like to work with students from the other end of the spectrum, who don't learn as quickly as gifted students. Mr. Koob had an ELL class with students who spoke 7 different languages, from Spanish and Arabic to Japanese and Hindi dialects. His approach to this obstacle was inspiring to me, and his belief that the students can succeed regardless of their language barrier was phenomenal. I really like the idea that since Math is a universal language, it can be taught through a language barrier.
Hilliard Bradley High School Math:
I spent most of my Senior year in the Algebra II and AP Calculus AB classrooms. This was a great way for me to work with students on higher-level, abstract concepts. I really enjoyed this all year long, and it has definitely shown me that I've chosen the right path for my life. It also was a great way to see contrasting teaching methods: Mrs. Horne taught her A2 class more directly, with lots of classroom lecture/explanation time. Mr. Gmerek gave the students information to start with, and then drifted around the room to assist them as they taught themselves. Both methods work well when performed correctly, so I'll have to decide if I want to use one of those approaches someday, or a mixture of both. Overall, this was a great opportunity for me to experience high school math from the other side.