It only felt right to add a post for a place that has quickly become so near
and dear in my heart: Nukko Lake Elementary.
When I began my practicum on February 26th, I was more nervous that I have
been in a long time. I was nervous to enter the classroom as a teaching figure,
and to be watched and evaluated by someone that I respected. My CT was someone
who you could watch with the students for just a few minutes and know there was
a good classroom environment, and a whole lot of learning! She quickly put my
mind at ease, and I felt very comfortable.
Nukko is about 30 minutes from where I live, so the drive there (which was
VERY icy in my first week) was slow and steady. I listened to music, let myself
think, and by the time I arrived my mind was so much more clear. Over the 3
weeks, those drives became very therapeutic for me. Those long, winding roads
are actually quite peaceful to drive through, and though a few of my classmates
felt bad for me that I had to drive so far, I actually felt it was a very
beneficial part of my experience.
Getting into the classroom was scary at first, but like all things that I try
and end up loving, it quickly became the highlights of my day to be with those
students. They were so open, welcoming and funny! I have so many stories in my
head now that make me laugh because Kindergartners just say the craziest
things. I knew we would get along just fine, because I love working with kids,
but I had a few experiences that really stuck out as impactful to me. One of
them was a lesson that I did where we learned a few simple phrases and words in
ASL. I started by reading a book called “More Than Words” which was a
children’s book designed to teach kids that there are more ways to communicate
than just speaking. So, even if someone doesn’t speak to you there are more
ways to engage with them and not just ignore them. The kids loved the book, but
after we finished we referred back to the page that talked about ASL and sign
language. From there, I taught them a few very simple words and phrases that
they could easily use in school, including: yes, no, please, thank you, help,
repeat, washroom, learn and a few fun ones like: cat, mother and father. They
loved it and were super engaged in learning more. A few weeks later, I was
sitting with the kids on the carpet during a math lesson taught by my CT. One
of the students next to me got an answer right and when I said “good
job,” he turned to me and with a big smile, did the ASL sign for
“learn.” Weeks later, he still remembered some of his signs. My heart
was so full that day, seeing that something I had taught them had stuck and
impacted them. Over the rest of the weeks, I did see a lot of students still
signing, which warmed my heart. It was especially impactful because there is a
student in their class learning ASL as a way to communicate, and I hope that in
the future her classmates are able to sign with her.
I left that practicum with my cup full. It was such an amazing experience,
inside and out of the classroom and I’m only sad that it’s over. I told them
when I left I’d be back, and hopefully one day I will, because that school
holds a special place in my heart now, along with the amazing teachers who work
there and the amazing students who always make my day.
