Cadet Teaching Portfolio

Over the course of the year I have grown as a person through this program. Initially I wanted to teach eighth-grade but ended up placed in a first-grade classroom. I believe everything happens for a reason; including my unexpected placement.

Even though it was not where I expected to end up, I learned and strengthened valuable skills during my time student-teaching with them and ended up missing it a ton when I left. First grade children depend on you as not only a teacher, but a motherly figure. There is a lot that you still have to do for them while trying to teach them to be independent.

My communication skills strengthened from having to explain activities thoroughly. I became more patient than I already was. I learned to listen before giving advice or offering help. I learned to show multiple ways to get the same result. Including visual representations, hands-on activities, and to teach with fun in mind. Making learning fun isn’t a difficult task and watching their faces light up when I would share a new activity with them was the highlight of my afternoon. Saying “see you later” at the end of the semester was tough because I had been that figure for them. They looked up to me and wanted to get to know me as much as I wanted to get to know them. Their positive and outgoing spirits made my time enjoyable. They weren’t only my students, they were my friends.

In contrast, eight-graders are very independent. For the most part, they don’t look to their teacher as a motherly-figure. They look at their teacher as an authoritative figure to get them in trouble. It was very tough to make the separation of teacher-student because I am so close in age with them, but after I made the separation and showed them that I am a teacher figure, they showed me nothing but respect. That’s when the real connection started to happen. I felt important when they asked me to help them with projects and homework and felt valued when I could share a different perspective no one had shown them before. I made it very apparent on my last day that it was my last day, so that when I go back next week for their eighth-grade celebration they are surprised.

I noticed a disconnect between learning and creativity. By the time students reach eighth-grade their teachers are more worried if they are problem solvers and reasonable thinkers rather than imaginative, creative, and passionate with their learning. There is so much pressure to succeed and to do it all and have it all together. This idea of unachievable perfection affects them in ways that I don’t know.

In first-grade there is no homework, there are no unrealistic expectations put onto them. Everything they do is an achievement no matter how big or small. The constant support they get from their teachers pushes them to put all their energy into their work.

Often times in the eighth-grade students feel that they have to get A’s and B’s and have access to their grades at all times. In first grade there are no grades, just improvement. If students didn’t have constant access to grades I feel like they would be more focused on improving their work and strengthening their skills rather than focusing on if their percentage went up or down by 2% when a quiz is entered.

The differences and similarities between the 2 grade levels made me appreciate the opportunity to be in such a wonderful program. Throughout the year I became indecisive on my career path. I switched from really loving teaching, to thinking about going into marketing, to falling in love with teaching again. Where I stand right now, I know my purpose in life is to work with and mentor kids. Whether I end up teaching or going more into a therapy career path I know that this is my passion and purpose in life.

I love eighth-grade students because I am able to joke with them, laugh with them, all while teaching them and helping them grow both academically and socially. They were fun to be around and lit up the room with their charismatic personalities. They never failed to put a smile on my face on the days when I didn’t want to. I couldn’t have asked for better students to work with. I can’t wait to watch them grow from eighth-graders to young adults in the upcoming years and celebrate all their accomplishments.

My name is Emily Marlow. I am a high school student who has pursued cadet teaching throughout my junior year of high school. I student-taught with a first grade classroom for the first semester and now I student-teach an eighth grade classroom. The only reason I switched was to see the differences between ages because there was no middle ground for me. I wanted students just beginning their academic career, but I also felt very tied to eighth grade. Throughout the semester I’ve had a series of projects to complete. Scroll through everything and take a look at lesson plans, weekly updates about my experience, extra-curriculars, and more!

“Remind yourself daily: While education is useful, it’s love that children and the world need. A deeply loved child with only some education will go much further than a well educated child lacking love.” 

Vince Gowmon

I believe that education should be adaptable. Not every student learns the sameway and having multiple ways to teach the students will give them individuality and help them flourish in the ways they need to. Without adaptability and individualized learning techniques, the smartest students will feel inadequate

“Ask any child development expert, and they will tell you that children do not develop in a straight line. There are no average children. There are no standard children.” 

Cassi Clausen

“Close observation of children at play suggests that they find out about the world in the same way as scientists find out about new phenomena and test new ideas…during this exploration, all the senses are used to observe and draw conclusions about objects and events through simple, if crude, scientific investigations.” 

Judith Roden

I believe teaching is the most rewarding job anyone could have. To be around students and help them grow and blossom not only with academics, but personal growth and development as well. Being a teacher isn’t about guidelines and rubrics, it’s about giving students a chance of expression and allowing them a chance to build a relationship with you. Itis the most rewarding in these aspects: getting to see them master a skill that once was really tough and see them grow throughout the year and develop into the person they are meant to be.

“Teaching is not about answering questions but about raising questions – opening doors for them in places that they could not imagine.” 

Yawar Baig

“What we are teaches the child far more than what we say, so we must be what we want our children to become.” 

Joseph Chilton Pearce

“I’m more interested in arousing enthusiasm in kids than in teaching the facts. The facts may change, but that enthusiasm for exploring the world will remain with them the rest of their lives.” 

Seymour Simon

I believe that children want to learn. They want to explore the world around them and have a natural curiosity to expand their knowledge and absorb as much as possible. Children have a natural sense to glorify everything which is why they are curious and creative. I believe children are a gift and need to be cherished and appreciated.

“A child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn’t been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.” 

Pablo Casals

“While it is important to educate children, what is much more pressing is the need to love them. When education becomes more important than love, it is no longer education at all. For, tending to the delicate spirit of children is foundational if education is to fulfill its intended purpose of serving the greater whole.”

Vince Gowmon

Being a cadet teacher for a semester has provided me many insights into the education system. Learning about roles of teachers and students has been an interesting experience and I have had enormous personal growth from this opportunity. Students, teachers, and the education system as a whole means something different for everyone. These are my belief statements.