External experience of a student. (Essay Sample)

Greenbrier Elementary School External Internship Experience Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Greenbrier Elementary School External Internship Experience It is important that educational training should be provided from thesis to practice. The next important step on this path was my involvement at Greenbrier Elementary School as an external scholar. This essay discusses my first impressions about the Greenbrier orientation session, the differences between my role as a college student and external scholar, transitioning, and challenges. For instance, it touches on issues involved with supervision, and modifications undertaken for professionalism promotion, and studies some moral cases from an educational angle. I have experienced career growth at Greenbrier and the effects of this will linger with me through my future role as an educator. 1 Greenbrier Elementary School was a significant stop along my journey toward becoming an educator. As I entered this new environment, I had clear expectations of what I wanted to accomplish: experiential knowledge acquisition, internalization of the specific nuances of classrooms, and skillful adjustment to the varying requirements of learners. 2 Greenbrier had an impressive orientation process. Right from the start, I was given all the information regarding the school’s rules and regulations. I also met several members of staff and made some vital contacts from my first few days in school. My orientation was carried out by an assigned mentor who supported me and gave directions for the whole period of the internship. 3 This experience is more than an opportunity to simply practice what was learned at the university. Rather, it is crucial to define my plans for career development. To this end, I plunged into the realism of the classroom and noted my strong points and weak points. Interacting with students made me understand the need for a differentiated instruction approach, due to the presence of a wide range of needs and learning styles in a classroom. 4 There are notable differences between my role as an undergraduate student and my position as an external scholar. Among these differences are the following: * Active Responsibility: Rather as an external scholar, I had much more responsibility for lesson planning and conducting than as an undergraduate student. * Direct Interaction: There came more contact with students as among prominent differences from the university setting environment that was characterized by such irregular contact. * Collaboration with School Staff: Success in this new status as an external scholar was more dependent on working closely with fellow students and school staff – a factor that I did not encounter while being at the University. * Student Evaluation and Monitoring: As a learning facilitator, it became critical that I evaluated student progress and made necessary changes, a function not so crucial in my university role. * Participation in Teacher Meetings: Participating in teacher meetings to discuss pedagogical strategies and address classroom challenges was a significant and new difference in my experience as a Fellow. 5 There were major changes involved in changing from a university student to an external student. Unforeseen challenges were encountered concerning time management, and adaption to individual students' needs. Rapid adaptations included autonomy of decision-making and managing a real-time classroom. 6 My development depended on the supervision that I got during my externship. My mentor gave me ongoing guidance, encouraged growth in my skill set, and helped me be well-equipped at every step of my journey in education. The improved supervision increased my effectiveness as far as the pedagogical approach is concerned and in effect this improved my confidence as a teacher. 7 In terms of professionalization, I have made substantial alterations in my way of doing, how I come off, and how I think. My communication skills with ...