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Our partnership with Cal Poly has really resulted in a win-win
situation for both Cal Poly and for Savannah School District. We are
able to accommodate many more students than a traditional summer
school. Both the superintendant, Dr. Sue Johnson, and myself are
alumni of Cal Poly Pomona. We're very familiar with the
teacher education program there. And so, three years ago we partnered
with Cal Poly Pomona to have their student teachers become part of our
Summer School staff.Completing my clinical practice in the Savanna
program is unique because I got to set up my own classroom. It's not
like I went into a teacher's classroom had already had everything
established. I had to decorate my classroom; I had to set
up the rules of my classroom. Plan all of the activities and lessons
from day one, through the end.They give you a book you have to go over
the book and then you come up with the ideas and the lessons, so
it's-- it's-it's a lot of work.You're responsible for every lesson
from eight o'clock to twelve o'clock. You're the one in charge, you're
deciding what to do every minute.As a new teacher that's always
something that's kind of scary, going into your own classroom, but
having that down and getting more comfortable with it has
been really successful for me.Some of the ways the Savanna School
District specialists have helped me in this journey has been to kind
of serve as a mentor for me. Coming in and observing my
lessons and giving me really helpful feedback.And she'd always write
in her journal, this is what you need to work on. I've
noticed the students doing this, and this is some options that we've
given you.They were there any time I needed to ask a question. If I
needed to ask a questions right before eight o'clock, they were there
to answer it. If I needed to ask something really quick at recess,
they could answer it. And they would be willing to help me with
whatever I needed.One thing that I learned from my students is that,
they could have really similar test scores, really similar fluency
scores, but they're all very different and they need different things
from you. So, you have to be ready and available to do that for them.
For example, in fourth grade, they're more independent. I can say
rotate and they do it. With first grade it takes a lot of time and
directions, and having to repeat myself over and over again. And
sometimes the most challenging students can end up being one of the
best and teaching you the most about yourself as a teacher. I'm the
one that's chosen the material; I'm that one that's taught the
lesson. So, when I see that my child has actually
understanding what I'm teaching, I know it's because of me.
I would say it's harder than a traditional program. But it's
absolutely worth it. I've learned so much more in these last eight?
nine weeks than I ever would have in just a traditional student
teaching program.I was here by 7:30 sometimes 7:00 and I'd leave at 6:
00, but it was all worth it because I mean I'm taking so much from
this program so that I can apply it somewhere else.
By the end of the program, you will feel ready to walk into a
classroom and be the teacher.