How My Internship Has Affected Me
Going into this internship, I really did not expect to get much out of it. I have worked as an assistant teacher for many years at my church and figured being in an actual classroom would not be any different. I was completely wrong; nothing could have prepared me for the twenty three wild and sharp minded individuals that ran into the room after P.E on my first day. Every experience in teaching is different and I have seen that through this class. Mrs. Cupka would tell me how she never expects any similarities between her classes each year and always approaches everything as a new opportunity.
I spent so many hours with the class, helping them with math, reading, or their STEM projects that some days I was so drained I did not think I could go back another day. Regardless of the exhaustion, however, I always returned and what I believe kept drawing me further and further into the depths of this class was curiosity. I was in awe of my surroundings, in wonderment of what twenty three separate minds at different speeds could come up with to reach the same solution every time. I began to enjoy every minute with the class, getting the opportunity to know each student personally.
By the end of the internship I left learning more from the experience than I ever thought I could. I begin to think of my students all the time and wonder how they are doing, and what they will grow up to do. I hope that I left a lasting impression on them as I know they have for me. They changed my entire mindset of teaching and how hard yet rewarding it can be. Although it has not changed my career decision, this experience is one I know I will be able to take with me wherever I end up.
I spent so many hours with the class, helping them with math, reading, or their STEM projects that some days I was so drained I did not think I could go back another day. Regardless of the exhaustion, however, I always returned and what I believe kept drawing me further and further into the depths of this class was curiosity. I was in awe of my surroundings, in wonderment of what twenty three separate minds at different speeds could come up with to reach the same solution every time. I began to enjoy every minute with the class, getting the opportunity to know each student personally.
By the end of the internship I left learning more from the experience than I ever thought I could. I begin to think of my students all the time and wonder how they are doing, and what they will grow up to do. I hope that I left a lasting impression on them as I know they have for me. They changed my entire mindset of teaching and how hard yet rewarding it can be. Although it has not changed my career decision, this experience is one I know I will be able to take with me wherever I end up.