It Looks Differently from Behind The Scenes

A few weeks back, Dr. Besnoy informed us that the real job of teachers starts after the students have left the classroom. I can see this, now. I can also see that the same holds true for before the students arrive.

In my previous Practicums, I'd basically only seen the classroom work; I'd not seen all that goes on behind the scenes. This semester, however, I've been given a glimpse behind the curtain. These teachers work so incredibly hard behind the scenes, so that what goes on in front of the scenes work so well. Until this semester, the whole "team" thing was essentially a concept in my mind. My current Practicum team teachers have given that concept a form in my mind and breathed life into it.

I've been able to sit in on team meetings, but today's meeting was particularly poignant. They have on student with special needs who has been causing severe problems for himself and a couple of other students. Usually, the morning meeting involves the 4 core subject teachers. This morning the special ed. teacher was involved as well. They laid out on the table a series of interventions that were designed to help make the atmosphere more conducive for learning for all of the students involved. They even went so far as to jostle the schedules of the disruptive boy and his main cohorts, so that they were separated. This was not an easy task, yet these five teachers put in the work and the juggling. They spoke of meeting with the student (who has been so problematic) and his father. It sounded as though they had put in an enormous amount of work, yet they did it in a stoic manner.

While they were disassembling their schedules to separate these students, the Principal popped in on the meeting to inform the team that a pair of brothers at the school have had the power turned off at their home. He then proceeded to tell the teachers about the supreme effort this school has gone to to help out as best they can. The cafeteria has sent home food. The gym has offered the use of the showers. And there is one particular teacher, who has done some of the boys' laundry.

Yep, I'd say there is a real TEAM at my Practicum placement. And I have been thoroughly impressed with it!