Final Reflection
My capstone is a self-esteem project with 2nd graders at Jefferson Elementary School in New Britain. I would meet with the children on Fridays from 2:15 to 3:30. Through my research I learned the concepts of self-esteem and why it is important to improve each of these concepts for the better of the child. I also learned how low self-esteem impacts the child and their day to day activities. I would make lesson plans on each of the components of self-esteem. Some components would tie into one another, but I tried to focus on each one of them separately. These lessons consisted of self-worth, confidence, sense of purpose and belonging, trust, responsibility, decision making, accepting mistakes, contribution and self- discipline. The lessons varied from small games and activities to group discussions and worksheets.
Before I started this project I observed the class during one of their regular school days. We had a half day that day so I was able to sit in on Mrs. Esernia’s class at Jefferson from 12:00 to 3:30. I watched how the students interacted with each other, with my mentor Mrs. Esernia and with me, being their visitor. All the students greeted me and went about their schedule while I watched. I expected their behavior to be the same once I started my project. I figured that once I started meeting with my group of kids that I would just become their second teacher and nothing more. I had no idea how much of an emotional attachment would form between these children and I.
The first day that I went to meet with my group, many of the students in the room ran up and hugged me. This alone made me feel good because I knew they were happy that I was there. Little did I know that this would become routine and continue each time I arrived at Jefferson. That day I called my six children up to stand with me so we could go to the other building and start. I was surprised by how many other students wanted to work with me as well. As I walked with my kids to the other building they were all telling me how excited they were but also how nervous they were. I sat down with them and explained that I would be coming on Fridays to do a self-esteem project for a few weeks and that we’d be doing different lessons and activities. At first I was unsure of how to get across the importance of these topics with the kids, especially if they didn’t know what self-esteem meant. I broke down my lessons as much as I could so that they were fun but also educational. Sometimes the lessons would go quicker than expected. Either the kids would understand it and complete the activities quickly or they would try and rush through so they could play and have fun. I didn’t want them to think that the only reason I was there was so they could play. One of my challenges was becoming more strict because I was not there as their friend, but their teacher and mentor. Having the insight I do now, I would’ve started my project off in the room I currently work in because it is a small classroom with no distractions, while the other room had toys and games.
On the first day I met with my kids I asked if anyone had any questions about why I would be coming to meet with them or what we would be doing. The first thing that one of my boys asked was how long I would be meeting with them and if it would be all year. I had no idea how long I would be going to Jefferson to do my project. I figured that once I taught them everything I needed to teach them that I would end it. My mind quickly changed when I started to get to know my group. I started out this project simply trying to teach younger children about self-esteem and trying to help build them up so that they have the confidence and qualities to achieve anything they put their minds to. I walked into this project solely as an aspiring teacher. I cannot explain how quickly the tables turned for me.
As my project progressed I not only started to have fun making lesson plans and activities but I also began to miss the children when I wasn’t able to see them. I would look forward to seeing them just as much, and if not more, than they looked forward to seeing me. I would get super excited to go see them and I realized that I stopped calling them my students and began to call them my children or my kids. I didn’t just feel like their second teacher anymore, I felt like a mentor and even moreso, a big sister. I genuinely care about each and every one of those kids and I want them to be the best that they can be.
I feel that my project was a success. I could tell that the children became a lot more comfortable with me and that I was making real progress with my self-esteem lessons. They began to participate more, open up to me about things that bothered them and they began to improve in the classroom as well, especially one of my boys who was known to have behavioral issues in the classroom. Mrs. Esernia told me that if he gave me any major problems that he can be removed from the group. I felt that I was well-prepared to deal with any behavioral issues. On the first day I met with the children I made some rules with them. This one student made sure everyone followed my rules and when someone didn’t he was the first to speak up about it. I was very impressed and it made me feel as though I was already making a difference in his behavior. As the meetings progressed Mrs. Esernia told me about his improvement in the classroom. This student's behavior turned around completely. I was overjoyed. Not only was he an active participant in all of the lessons and the most excited, he was coming back to me and telling me of all the good things he has been doing at home. I remember how excited he would be to tell me what great things he did throughout the week. I loved hearing his stories, he is one of the main reasons that I feel this project was so worth it. I didn’t think I’d be able to get through to these children but he showed me that I could. Seeing him improve and grow before my eyes and being a part of that experience is one that I will remember forever. I feel as though I really made a difference by working with these children. Although some lessons were more difficult to teach than others, I feel I was able to help the students learn more about themselves and how great they really are. I hope that the students take away what I taught them and carry it with them as they go onto third grade next year and as they continue to grow up.
I don’t think that these kids will ever understand how much of an impact they have had on me and my future. Because of them I feel that I have what it takes to run a small classroom and become a teacher. Working with them has made me more confident for a teaching career. I have also made many realizations throughout this project. One realization I made is that I am actually pretty creative. I realized this through creating the lesson plans and activities. I also made the realization that I have much more influence over others and their behavior than I thought. I have the ability to impact others lives in the simplest ways and I must be a role model for those younger than me. I want them to look up to me and take away the good qualities I show them. It is very bittersweet that this project has to come to an end soon. I have enjoyed working with these children so much. I don’t want to stop this project but I know that they are going to continue to improve and grow each and every day. I hope to stop in and visit next year when they are in third grade and see how they are doing. Overall, it has been a very memorable experience.
Before I started this project I observed the class during one of their regular school days. We had a half day that day so I was able to sit in on Mrs. Esernia’s class at Jefferson from 12:00 to 3:30. I watched how the students interacted with each other, with my mentor Mrs. Esernia and with me, being their visitor. All the students greeted me and went about their schedule while I watched. I expected their behavior to be the same once I started my project. I figured that once I started meeting with my group of kids that I would just become their second teacher and nothing more. I had no idea how much of an emotional attachment would form between these children and I.
The first day that I went to meet with my group, many of the students in the room ran up and hugged me. This alone made me feel good because I knew they were happy that I was there. Little did I know that this would become routine and continue each time I arrived at Jefferson. That day I called my six children up to stand with me so we could go to the other building and start. I was surprised by how many other students wanted to work with me as well. As I walked with my kids to the other building they were all telling me how excited they were but also how nervous they were. I sat down with them and explained that I would be coming on Fridays to do a self-esteem project for a few weeks and that we’d be doing different lessons and activities. At first I was unsure of how to get across the importance of these topics with the kids, especially if they didn’t know what self-esteem meant. I broke down my lessons as much as I could so that they were fun but also educational. Sometimes the lessons would go quicker than expected. Either the kids would understand it and complete the activities quickly or they would try and rush through so they could play and have fun. I didn’t want them to think that the only reason I was there was so they could play. One of my challenges was becoming more strict because I was not there as their friend, but their teacher and mentor. Having the insight I do now, I would’ve started my project off in the room I currently work in because it is a small classroom with no distractions, while the other room had toys and games.
On the first day I met with my kids I asked if anyone had any questions about why I would be coming to meet with them or what we would be doing. The first thing that one of my boys asked was how long I would be meeting with them and if it would be all year. I had no idea how long I would be going to Jefferson to do my project. I figured that once I taught them everything I needed to teach them that I would end it. My mind quickly changed when I started to get to know my group. I started out this project simply trying to teach younger children about self-esteem and trying to help build them up so that they have the confidence and qualities to achieve anything they put their minds to. I walked into this project solely as an aspiring teacher. I cannot explain how quickly the tables turned for me.
As my project progressed I not only started to have fun making lesson plans and activities but I also began to miss the children when I wasn’t able to see them. I would look forward to seeing them just as much, and if not more, than they looked forward to seeing me. I would get super excited to go see them and I realized that I stopped calling them my students and began to call them my children or my kids. I didn’t just feel like their second teacher anymore, I felt like a mentor and even moreso, a big sister. I genuinely care about each and every one of those kids and I want them to be the best that they can be.
I feel that my project was a success. I could tell that the children became a lot more comfortable with me and that I was making real progress with my self-esteem lessons. They began to participate more, open up to me about things that bothered them and they began to improve in the classroom as well, especially one of my boys who was known to have behavioral issues in the classroom. Mrs. Esernia told me that if he gave me any major problems that he can be removed from the group. I felt that I was well-prepared to deal with any behavioral issues. On the first day I met with the children I made some rules with them. This one student made sure everyone followed my rules and when someone didn’t he was the first to speak up about it. I was very impressed and it made me feel as though I was already making a difference in his behavior. As the meetings progressed Mrs. Esernia told me about his improvement in the classroom. This student's behavior turned around completely. I was overjoyed. Not only was he an active participant in all of the lessons and the most excited, he was coming back to me and telling me of all the good things he has been doing at home. I remember how excited he would be to tell me what great things he did throughout the week. I loved hearing his stories, he is one of the main reasons that I feel this project was so worth it. I didn’t think I’d be able to get through to these children but he showed me that I could. Seeing him improve and grow before my eyes and being a part of that experience is one that I will remember forever. I feel as though I really made a difference by working with these children. Although some lessons were more difficult to teach than others, I feel I was able to help the students learn more about themselves and how great they really are. I hope that the students take away what I taught them and carry it with them as they go onto third grade next year and as they continue to grow up.
I don’t think that these kids will ever understand how much of an impact they have had on me and my future. Because of them I feel that I have what it takes to run a small classroom and become a teacher. Working with them has made me more confident for a teaching career. I have also made many realizations throughout this project. One realization I made is that I am actually pretty creative. I realized this through creating the lesson plans and activities. I also made the realization that I have much more influence over others and their behavior than I thought. I have the ability to impact others lives in the simplest ways and I must be a role model for those younger than me. I want them to look up to me and take away the good qualities I show them. It is very bittersweet that this project has to come to an end soon. I have enjoyed working with these children so much. I don’t want to stop this project but I know that they are going to continue to improve and grow each and every day. I hope to stop in and visit next year when they are in third grade and see how they are doing. Overall, it has been a very memorable experience.