Marissa Cosgrove

Responsibilities

I am responsible for managing classroom behaviors, creating relationships with my students, sticking to the daily schedule, picking up students from lunch, and performing the role of a second teacher in the classroom. I was also responsible for creating lesson plans, teaching those lesson plans, and taking in feedback from my supervisor and cooperating teachers on how I can improve and what I did well.

Accomplishments

My biggest accomplishments were the small moments where a lightbulb went on for a student after they were working on something challenging. Typically, when someone says "accomplishment", I feel like most people think it's a big event but for me, it's been seeing the little moments where something clicks in their understanding and they finally "get it".

Learning experience

I was in an 8th grade classroom which was totally different than my previous experiences being in a classroom. The students were so fun and it's awesome to get higher level thinking from your students since they're older. Coming up with more challenging questions and getting them to "buy in" to what you're saying really got me out of my comfort zone. I am currently in a 4th grade classroom and the transition from 8th to 4th grades was very different. The students are so smart and eager to answer questions. They are so funny and come up with such creative answers to the questions I ask. They really help me remember my purpose as a teacher.

What advice would you give?

My biggest piece of advice would be to give yourself grace and to take care of yourself. You’re adjusting to a new way of learning and the stress can sneak up on you. Get enough sleep, eat well, exercise, and, most importantly, WASH YOUR HANDS!