During my practicums, I really made an effort to grow and develop as a teacher. Teaching Grade 1 was definitely outside of my comfort zone, but it gave me a great opportunity to broaden my knowledge base. I had to learn a lot of new strategies and techniques to support the younger learners, especially when it came to foundational skills like early literacy and numeracy. I sought feedback from my associate teacher, participated in professional development sessions, and collaborated with my colleagues to better understand how to effectively teach and engage first graders.
The experience pushed me to expand my skills and adapt my teaching style, which has helped me grow as an educator. It also taught me the importance of reflecting on my practice, so I could continually adjust and improve. I embraced every challenge as a chance to learn, and I’m now more confident in my ability to teach across grade levels. This commitment to growth and learning is something I will carry with me throughout my teaching career.