As a student anticipating my own classes and clawing through the everyday struggles of my cadetship, I didn’t imagine that I would be teaching a class. It surprised me even more when I was switched from middle school to high school. Mrs. Diette’s 8th grade English was entirely different from Mrs. Leadbetter’s 10th grade English and we had to adjust our observations and work direction for the circumstances. As I got to know the kids in Mrs. Leadbetter’s class a little more, I saw the brightness and intelligence that the kids possessed.
Mrs. Leadbetter’s class was structured around repetition and information being presented unchronological. So, I believe it was to our advantage that we only visited one time a week. My partner and I, during our time with the class, was advised by Mrs. Leadbetter that the students needed assistance in research writing. We mutually agreed that research would be a great topic to pursue. This was going to be our way to help the students. This added value to our presentation because research writing is required in almost all fields you choose to go into. In a way, we would be helping to establish the basics for the rest of their careers. This was our way of achieving our own goal, and impacting the student’s lives.
The world pandemic, COVID-19, put our efforts into a heartbreaking halt. We were unable to present our information due to the circumstances of the current Rockbridge High School. Mrs. Leadbetter explained to us that students there started to grow disinterest in assignments because they wouldn’t be graded. She felt that our project wouldn’t be worth presenting because the capabilities to see it were limited. Our news, although nerve racking, was understandable. I just hope that we can influence another’s project along the way.
Author Archives: davistg21
Blog 6: A Window into Rockbridge County High School
Rockbridge County is in the Shenandoah Valley in West Central Virginia and according to the Rockbridge county website, serves about 2,500 students. The area is predominantly rural and contains mostly farmers, artists, small business owners, military, and retirees. However, the area is plagued with an ailment that harms many areas nationally and internationally. According to the 2013 census, Rockbridge county maintained the highest poverty statistics in all of Virginia. Federal assistance is usually required in the community and free lunch is required for the children.
We asked our teacher, Mrs. Leadbetter about the demographics and she gave information much like that above. She let us know that poverty was one of the biggest challenges the school faced and that their learning had to adapt to those conditions. This factor about Rockbridge County; However, did not show at first glance. When we arrived in their high school environment, we saw a relatively normal scene. Once we entered the classroom, we experienced firsthand Mrs. Leadbetter’s teaching style. Within her teaching day she began the lesson with one topic and switched to another to cover more ground in the unit. Her children seemed to respond relatively positive to this method of teaching. Her environment was an example of the interesting culture that was Rockbridge High School. Prior to the visits, I would never had been able to see Lexington in that light. I see now that Mrs. Leadbetter’s Class, Rockbridge County High School, and Lexington has a whole had a unique story to tell.
Blog 5
Blog 4- Promotion to a new experience
My partner and I had a new experience of which I have mixed feelings. On one had hand, saying goodbye to our previous teacher Mrs. Diette was unfortunate. The times for our visits just couldn’t work due to our scheduling. In the back of my mind, I will continuously think of the things that could have been with her class and Maury Middle school. However, we were given the privilege of traveling to Rockbridge County Highschool to be apart of Mrs. Leadbetter’s classroom experience.
As we walked through the Highschool, I experienced a very different sight from the Middle School. I saw teenagers on the verge of finding themselves and much more interactions than I am used to. In Mrs. Leadbetter’s class, order was established through humor. This fact was surprising yet interesting and gave me an idea of how to approach the kids in the class.
The class is currently reading the book Night by Elie Wiesel and looking at it through an analytical rhetorical lens. Soon they will be writing informed research papers on a topic of their choice. During this process we have been asked to assist the students in gathering ideas for this paper and potentially helping through the research process. Personally, I am looking forward to getting to know them all to understanding their dynamic and learning tendencies.
The First Visit-Blog 3
Excitement is the only thing that arises when I begin to talk about my experience in Maury River Middle School. This experience was a blast of nostalgia as I recalled the adventures in my own school. The kids looked at us in shock when we first walked in and seemed to be surprised that we were coming. It was slightly nerve racking at first, but we eventually merged into their environment as another set of learners. Unfortunately, we only had time to talk to two groups about their projects due to the scheduling. Although we were cut short, we were still able to learn about their different projects; all of which were project based and gearing toward change. I can’t help but wonder what problem set I’ll present to the kids, because they are covering a lot of topics that are great issues within their community.
Despite my uncertainty, I believe that these kids will approach interesting problem sets with creativity and energy. I see the faces of the future and untapped potential when I look around the classroom and I am excited to be a part of what will be beneficial learning.
Regarding the setting of the classroom, I noticed that all of the children had assigned computers. I think this was a testament to the strength of the schooling program, because I did not receive such things until High School. I also noted that the desks were in classic classroom fashion. The decorations of the room were suitable to an English class in my opinion. The walls contained mostly writing and a scatter of paintings and flags scattered here and there. All of these factors promoted a learning environment that was relatively new to my partner and I.
Hands on Practice
Last period we had a presentation by the VMI physical plant on recycling. They revealed the problems with recycling and the relationship regarding the topic between Rockbridge county and the Virginia Military Institute. The head of the recycling movement at the physical plant and her top worker presented statistics and facts on the amount of recycling at VMI. After sitting through the power point, they asked for advice and we gave informed perspective on what happens with recycling in barracks. The educated discussion eventually ended and we walked around post to witness firsthand the recycling efforts at post. I personally knew that there was recycling at VMI. However, I didn’t consider its importance until now. I think from the educated discussion we had, changes will be made in barracks to account for the lack of recycling rooms and recycling will be promoted much more throughout the corps. The lessons I learned from the reading and my experience is that expeditionary learning sticks and is an important part of adolescent learning. I would like to promote and implement it in some way when dealing with the kids February 11th.
Inspiration via Music: Education through mentorship
My entire life I have been blessed to find inspiration in many different role models that helped paint an early picture of success for me. The individual that carried a great deal of influence in my life was my director: Reginald Purvis. He was an incredible instrumentalist and even better teacher that helped me strive to greatness. As I progressed through High School, my director pushed fundamentals and different skills into my playing style and set precedent for how multiple instruments should be played for the rest of my life. During my Junior year, Purvis gave me personal training and criticism that helped me audition for and make the lower level band in my district. A chance to try out for all state band followed from this achievement that was performed in my senior year. I will forever be thankful to him for influencing a professional and enchanting sound that increased my personal relevance as a musician. I am also grateful for his constant mentorship that created a lifetime of joyful playing and employment. I currently play saxophone at the Virginia Military Institute and play for many church organizations for a living when I am home. EL Education states that “Teachers and specialist articulate and enhance the scaffolding or extensions for students who require more challenge, English language learners, or students with disabilities.” I personally believe that Purvis served as the teacher that enhanced my craft and provided that vital scaffolding when learning about music. Purvis, when I needed more of a challenge, stepped up and provided discomfort and the need for constant improvement to be successful. EL education also mentions that teachers support college and career readiness. Mr. Purvis always encouraged me to think about careers and stressed the importance of continuing music in whatever avenue I pursued. Although I did not pursue a career in music, I maintained my playing and used it as a part time job to continue playing during my college career. Regarding actual careers, he taught me to try my hardest and be competitive which is two important qualities of an individual entering the workforce.
Practice Makes Perfect
Creativity is phenomenal