Kristen Yates

Education 1301
December 1, 2015

Reflection Paper

I had the joy of getting to have some field experience this semester with two wonderful
teachers at L.P. Waters Early Learning Childhood Center located here in Greenville, Texas. One
of these teachers was Ms. Vicki Thomason, who is a pre-kindergarten teacher in the general
education classroom and the other was Ms. Carla Dunham, who is a pre-kindergarten teacher in a
special education classroom and both teachers teach four year olds students. I was lucky enough
to see how two different sections of the many different sections of pre-k offered at LP Waters
were handled in many different situations over the course of the 16 hours I observed this
semester. From handling a sick child to behavioral issues, from students success to students
struggle, from sing from the heart while learning to the joy on a students face when they master
the concept they were work on this week and I believe I have seen and learned a great deal from
each of these wonderful and experienced teachers.
The teaching styles were very different in the two classrooms in part because of the
teachers themselves and in part because of the student they were working with. Ms. Dunham
was a hand over hand teacher when I observed her on that day because of the cognitive delays
of most of her students. The students delays cause them to be unable to get a particular concept
on their own just yet. She told me that this not how she does it every single day and it depends
on the concept being taught. I did see how some were able after some hand over hand
instruction where able to take the concept and run and some still need support. I look forward to

observing more in the SPED department in the future to see other methods of teaching students
who have delays.
This is in contrast to the teaching method of Ms. Thomason, who I spent the majority of
my time with. I often observed her approach as being hands off. When I questioned her on this
she replied let them try on their own before you step in as you can see where your guidance is
need the most and you can better see where their growth is. Ms. Thomasons pet project at LP
Waters is the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Lab and on one of my first
days of observing Ms. Thomason teach I got to see her class go the Steam lab, where they
worked on stacking cups. Not only did this teach them the science and engineering behind this
project but it also taught cooperation. A lot of the lessons I observed in her class fell into more
than one category, like teaching the alphabet (which is in the English/Language Art section of her
lesson plan) is also teaching singing, and sign language or the color lesson (which was in the
morning circle section on her lesson plan) discussed science as well as music.
Overall, I enjoyed seeing how much both cared about each and every one of their
students under their care. I also learned that a teacher needs to be flexible and roll with the
punches. Your best laid plans may go up in smoke as the cafeteria is running behind during the
feast meal for example, but what makes you a great teacher is how you roll with those punches.
Do you wilt like the last flower before the first hard freeze or do you blossom and grow into a
mighty oak tree? Both of these teachers shared with me that each day they have a Plan A, Plan
B, and a Plan C and even a backup to those plans with a Plan D. Both said you have to have
humor, a good attitude, a passion for what you do, and most importantly remember it is for the
kids first and foremost. I can truly see in their teaching styles what they are talking about and I
hope going forward that I take that advice to heart for my future students.