My Reflection- SLO

Throughout the year, I switched my internship twice. The first time I switched was because I wasn't allowed to intern with a pediatrician, so I had to completely switch my focus to general medicine. Half-way through the year, I had to leave the general medicine office, because I was traveling far from my house and when I got there I just sat around. I finally ended up at Chestnut Mountain Creative School of Inquiry. The most important thing I gained from the two mentorships I attended, is just to listen and be patient. With the general medicine office, I had to listen to a couple of patients and analyze what may be wrong with them. When the doctor and I left the room and went to the back, he asked me what I thought of the patient and I would have to tell him not only what I heard but also what I saw. At the CMCSI, I have to watch the students and pay attention to them as I teach or my mentor, Amy Carpenter, would teach. I was constantly moving at the elementary school. I always had a task to accomplish and the staff made me feel like I belonged.

At the CMCSI, I always asked if there was anything I could take care of for Mrs. Carpenter or even the other teachers on my side of the hallway. Although to some it may have seemed like busy work, I was just glad I wasn't sitting around with nothing to do. My mentorship has prepared me for the future by helping me learn, everything isn't what it seems. Stuff happens and it causes things to change and there isn't much we can do about it. I realized that LOVE working with children and I want to change my focus to teaching. It's not always peachy working with children but they are so full of joy and love that you wouldn't want it any other way.

My first piece of advice to future students is to go with your heart. Don't be afraid of asking for what you really want, or what you're really interested in. My second tid-bit of information is to make sure you research your intended career area, ask questions like "What is it I'm going to be doing on a daily basis?","When is your busiest times?", and things of that nature so you aren't going in completely blind. I truly enjoyed my mentorship when I figured out where I was supposed to be. I can see some of my student out and public and they run up to me yelling " MS. JOHNSON!!" and it sincerely makes my heart smile.

Best of luck next year!!

Teacher working with Students. Digital image. SRI International. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.sri.com/work/projects/bridging-professional-development>.