A Pedagogical Reflection Guide For Future Social Studies Pre-service Teachers
The Reflection
Chapter
Finally, you will realize that the teaching internship is a process of "conquering" yourself. The fears you had at the beginning—the fear of failing, the fear of not being liked, the fear of the workload —gradually turn into a realization of your own resilience. You will realize that despite the complaints and the "negative thoughts" that sometimes fill your head, you are capable of surviving and thriving in one of the most demanding professions in the world. If your students were to describe the "reality" of your classroom, what would you want them to say about your patience? How will you ensure that your realizations during this teaching internship translate into better practices in your future career? At the end of a long day, what is the one realization that makes the "nightly tasks" feel worth the effort?
Amidst the exhaustion of the nightly grind, you will discover that motivation is rarely found in grand gestures, but in the "heartwarming" rhythm of the classroom. You must realize that your primary fuel will be the student engagement that occurs when you least expect it. There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you reach for an index card to call for a recitation, and before a name is even uttered, you see a sea of hands raised. You will find that even if a student’s name hasn’t been picked, their eagerness to "be chosen" provides a surge of energy that can instantly clear a clouded minds.