Important Roles of a Teacher

Important Roles of a Teacher

Vineyard Elementary

Throughout the whole semester we've been learning about education and the roles of teachers. It wasn't until this last module that we really began to focus on what a teacher does all day. I didn't really realize all of the responsibilities teachers have, and I don't believe I'll realize all of them until I begin teaching. After reading the assigned article for our class, I started to brainstorm of all the different roles a teacher plays throughout the day. They have the role of being a co-learning, a co-worker, a mentor, a learning director, an example, a researcher, and so much more. There are many roles a teacher plays throughout the day that the list could go on for quite some time. Between preparing the material, reaching through to students, and carrying on other school and classroom responsibilities it's amazing how they get it all done! Teachers are no longer care takers who have a daily lesson planned. They are reinventing their roles, responsibilities, and relationships.

In my field work experience I've witnessed several great examples of how the teacher has fulfilled many of these different roles. Teaching a lesson and going through the daily routine wasn't necessarily what caught my attention. There was a moment where one of the students was getting upset and discouraged when he couldn't see the board. The teacher helped the student to the front of the classroom without making him feel out-of-place or put on-the-spot. She had whispered to him that she would be sure they got his eyes looked at. Another instance was when the teacher had carried on a simple conversation between her students. They had joked about exercising and playing Just Dance over the weekend. These little instances didn't have much of a connection to the language lesson, math, or whatever was taking place. It was the personalized care and concern that this teacher had for each one of her students that stood out to me. She genuinely cared not only about their education and learning, but about the student. This is one of the roles of teachers that are unannounced.

Managing Assessment

Managing Assessment

Vineyard Elementary

Assessments take place all the time. The particular kind of assessment we've been talking about in our last class module is the assessment that takes place in a classroom setting. We've talked about how assessment can be beneficial for teachers, and the way they inform and adapt instruction. There was one particular article we read for our Introduction to Education class that talked about No Child Left Behind. This article helps the reader understand just some of the pros and cons of the most recent Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Teachers and students are being pushed to reach a standard that not all of them can reach. Aside from this article, the Treasure Hunt assignment and Strategic Note Taking guide have all helped understand what kind of assessment takes place in the world of teaching.

While at Vineyard Elementary school, I've recently helped the teacher I work with prepare her students for two different kinds of tests. The first test I helped her with and discussed with the class was SAGE testing. Students are given a subject and asked to write 3-5 paragraphs on the given topic with other instructions. The teacher had an outline of an example and we worked with the kids so they understood what was being asked of them before taking the actual test. The other test we were prepping the kids for was one of spelling and writing. This additional test was to help determine what kids needed extra time spent on new laptops that the school had just received because of a grant. Oh the kids were so excited. The teacher explained to them how everyone struggles in certain areas and that getting extra help was good for their classmates. She made sure not to single anyone out from this particular assessment. I can't explain how great the two teachers I've worked with at Vineyard Elementary School are. They are amazing!