I have learned to be aware of what the students have already experienced on the day I teach my class. For example, on Halloween, I knew the students would have focused on standard Halloween projects at school already, so I did a lesson on magic. This lesson was still relevant to celebrating the day but was different enough that they wouldn’t be bored. I have also a better understanding of the amount of prep that is needed prior to teaching a lesson. I understand the necessity of having aide assistance in the classroom. I have been privileged to have had a helpful group of Boys and Girls club employees this semester.
Crysta Bedard: Blog II
So far I have learned that I know more than I originally thought. When I first started I was worried since I hadn’t done lessons or teaching in a while. I have also learned important things such as if you want your students to be interested in the subject matter you have to find out something they are interested in first and relate your lesson to that.
Cierra Hurlbert: Blog II
Currently, I feel that I have come a long way since day one in both classroom management and lesson planning. Before teaching this class, I had no Idea where to even begin with a lesson plan. I had never seen a lesson plan before, and now I am writing one every other week. With my classroom management, I feel that I have learned some new techniques to keep the attention of the students while demonstrating. The first day I taught the class, I was so nervous and now I have definitely become more confident in the classroom as a teacher rather than a student.
Mela Wasilewski: Blog II
From this experience I have grown as a teacher. I have done this so far by learning what level each student is at in their art making (also in general). I’m earning more about classroom management and how to set up my classroom before class starts. As for learning how others learn I did notice a difference in younger students. Compared to the rest and it shows in their development and their motor skills. Some students are 8 years old and some are 6 years old.
Alyssa Boyer: Blog II
What makes me happy about teaching this past quarter is the fact that I can band with the children I work with and watch them learn. When a child learns a new concept or task you can see the ‘aha’ moment they have and be a part of it. I love being able to get experience and work with real teachers and get advice on what I can improve on.
Vanessa Lee: Blog II
Nicole Seidler: Blog II
Mosaic Sundays has really helped me improve my classroom management skills. Working with younger children can be difficult at times because they don’t always do what they are expected to do. Throughout teaching Mosaic Sundays, it has shown me more ways to deal with children who don’t want to do what they are told. I feel that it is important to have a well-managed classroom because it betters self-awareness, mental focus, and makes a better learning environment for all students.
Elizabeth Rosendahl: Blog II
I’m really happy that I am able to create a permanent piece of artwork that can influence a large range of people. Being able to learn a new medium is so exciting. I also enjoy the fact that I am able to actively make art that’s at my skill level while also working with young children. I am also happy to be learning new skills that can help me improve my teaching in the future.
Hannah Denninger: Blog II
This quarter I have had the opportunity to have my class Monday – Thursday which is one thing that has made me happy. Seeing the kids that many times a week has been important in making the relationships I now have with the students. Getting to know each of them, and them getting to know me must be one of my favorite things about teaching this quarter, and just in general. The projects that I have created, and implemented in my class are also something that has made me happy. The kids have all had positive responses to the projects and enjoyed doing them.
Leona Sonnentag: Blog II
I love that the children like the games that we plan and are interested in learning the dances prepared for them. They also are getting a hang out our everyday routine which is super nice. They know to circle up right away and start stretching. I also enjoy that the children always have fun ideas and stories that they want to share. It is also super nice that the supervisors also participate in the games that are planned.
Sara Sampson: Blog II
The thing that has made me the happiest throughout this teaching experience was the connection I have made with the inmates. I am so interested in the people I am working with. There may be misconceptions of people who are in jail but in reality these individuals are just like you and me. These people made a bad choice which has influenced how they ended up in jail. The individuals are so excited to come to class which really has made my job rewarding.
Vanessa Lee: Blog I
I hope this internship will help me further develop my teaching style. I think art education is very important in early childhood and I am glad I get to have such an involved role in facilitating that for students. I also want to gain a better understanding of the types of activities children this age enjoy so I can become a more knowledgeable and experienced teacher.
Teagan Heck: Blog I
I am looking forward to learning a new type of art. I have never done a mosaic and so I think it will be fun to learn as well as teach it to young students. I’m hoping to get more experience working with children as I do not have a lot of it. I’m looking forward to gaining some teaching experience with the help from a real teacher.
Elizabeth Rosendahl: Blog I
So far, I have had a few experiences in the teaching field. Last year, I was required to do small teaching courses to my fellow classmates in groups. I also was involved in the Children’s Art Club on the UW-Stout campus. During the spring semester, I participated in this internship program and worked with the children at Jumpstart. It was a wonderful experience and I gained various skills in regards to working with children of different ages.
Marissa Stoffel: Blog I
I am really looking forward to be in this classroom because I was with the same students last year for an ECE class, so I already know a little bit about them as children and the classroom expectations. I’m so excited to watch the students in the classroom learn and grow throughout the semester I will be in there. I’m also excited to incorporate more art lessons into their day, as well as get more practice with small groups of children. I can already tell that they love to create things and use their imagination, so giving them the opportunity to create is something I very much look forward to.
Cierra Hurlbert: Blog I
I am looking forward to learning how to create lesson plans and how to fully teach a class. I want to be able to keep the attention of the kids and to make sure they still have fun while creating their art projects. I want to be confident in the way that I am teaching. I believe that being a part of the P.A.I.N.T. program will really help me get comfortable in a classroom setting as a teacher and not the student.
Leona Sonnentag: Blog I
I hope to learn how to successfully help the students have a good time but still have a structured class. I'm also glad that I'm gaining real life experience so early in my college experience to solidify that teaching is what I want to do. I also hope to learn how to get students to behave and listen without having to yell over them.
Kat Lund: Blog I
Nicole Seidler: Blog I
I am looking forward to teaching to a wide variety of age groups which can lead to many different styles of painting. Style is not only created and shown because of age, but also how everyone uses the medium, how people may see it differently and show different techniques. I am also looking forward to learning more as an educator because I believe that their is always something new to learn.