A journal of a student teacher : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Abstract

After reading a book entitled Educating Esme about the trials and tribulations of a first year teacher, I realized the effectiveness that a similar piece done by a student teacher and for student teachers could have. The book itself is quite popular among education majors. Professors in education are quite adamant in the message that student teaching and the first year of teaching are the two most stressful periods in one's teaching career. If Educating Esme is for the first year educator, then my thesis is for the student teacher. It is my hope that future student teachers could use this thesis to find inspiration for both classroom ideas and as a way to remember that is possible to survive the overwhelming experience of student teaching. The primary component of the creative project is a collection of journal entries I wrote each day after student teaching at Storer Elementary School to summarize my daily activities, what I experienced, and how I felt at the conclusion of the day (which I hope parallels the experiences others will have). The entries highlight my progression as a student teacher over the course of a semester, show examples of my growth and maturity as a college student entering into student teaching, and coping with events inside the classroom (such as preparing daily lessons, the execution of my ten day teaching unit, and the process of completing my student teaching portfolio).