My leadership placement was done in a grade 10 civics and careers classroom. If I could describe the class to you in a single word it would have to be rowdy. Everyday walking into class I would have kids wandering around, screaming across the room, throwing food at one another. It was dysfunctional to say the least and within the first week I had this overwhelming desire to leave and never step foot into that class again. I left that Friday feeling tired, and scared for the weeks to come, overwhelmed. I was completing up some assignments online when I came across this quote...
Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better. —Bill Bradley
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After reading this I immediately got inspired to put forward my best foot and work to improve not only this class, but myself as a leader. This opportunity was golden as it gave me several circumstances daily to overcome, especially because I am looking to go into teaching as a career. I was working each class I was there to try and inspire the students, engage them in the curriculum. I was able to acknowledge the different learning levels of the class as it was open and just started to work in smaller groups, helping them by sharing my tips of success. I worked to educate each individual by explain the curriculum in a way the may have been more easily received by that student.
It helped that I had taken the course (civics/careers) the previous year and was familiar with the content, as I was able to elaborate and answer the questions of many students. I had noticed that a level of intelligence had helped gain respect as an authority figure, and once they saw that I was going to dedicate 100% to this class I believe many attitudes of the students changed. I was constantly using my skills and lessons, skills and techniques (personal learnings) to help the students learn as well as be an example for how to act in class.
It was cool to see Selina work so hard to keep us on task and motivate the best of us. It made a lot of my group work harder to show her we appreciate what she is doing - Jade Shaw (student)
Her organization and efficiency made me realize I need to organize my notes to do better in this class- Max.W (Student)