Practicum Essay Reflection: Master of Education Program

PRACTICUM ESSAY REFLECTION​

By: Guadalupe Cisneros
Texas Woman's University
Master of Education
Dr. Jones

During my practicum experience, I gained more knowledge and built on the information I have studied in the past four years in my career path in Early Childhood Development. Learning developmentally appropriate activities enabled me to share my knowledge with the teachers I was assigned to during my practice. I observed and learned teaching techniques as I participated in large and small group activities. The lead teachers shared insight into their teaching experience and classroom management skills. Fortunately, I found a practicum site willing to be open and ready to cooperate with me every step of the way.

While at Denton Christian Preschool, I learned the steps necessary to organize a safe and enjoyable field trip. Mrs. Blanca, the school’s director, took the time to review each requirement that the State licensing office expects schools to follow, and I was surprised at all the necessary steps when taking children out in public. I was unaware of everything that could go wrong; for instance, Mrs. Blanca mentioned that she usually takes her car in case of an emergency and is the last one in the procession, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

In Mrs. Liliana’s classroom, I was allowed to set up a literacy center with a dinosaur theme. Mrs. Liliana and I sorted the number of books to pick that would go in the library area; she knows the children better than I did and made some excellent suggestions on the titles. Plus, I discussed with her the different activities I could put up in the center, such as the letter rubbing exercise, the alphabet letter matching, and the sound-letter book. Since I love reading and books, setting up the library was the most enjoyable.

Going into my practicum, I was uneasy about what to do for my semester project. I had taken in the past at a horticultural class and love to garden. I suggested a flower or vegetable garden; to my surprise, it was met with enthusiasm. So, my husband and I built three vegetable beds out of recycled wood, and I sectioned off a square foot area for each child to plant. Mrs. Blanca bought the soil from the Denton landfill and on March 31, the children went outside to plant their seeds. There was so much excitement it was contagious. This morning while looking at the school’s website, the teachers posted pictures of the experience, and I felt very accomplished.

As I wind down this practicum experience, I will miss the children and the staff. Going to school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and assisting in the classrooms or observing, hearing my name yelled out as they are lining up to go to an activity when they see me, or wanting me to hold their hand in the line was indeed a wonderful experience. With this practicum, I take away knowledge and skills I can use in my next job. I believe that I lived the experience a wise man taught one time, “Truly I tell you unless you change and become like little children” Matthew 18:3 when one of the students said to me, Mrs. Guadalupe, you act like a kid as she held my hand to go eat lunch. I believe that for an Early Childhood educator, it doesn’t get any better than this because children know I think they can see right through you.