Maddy Faga: Kids are Kids

It’s hard to believe I only have one more month to call the unique city of Denver home. Three months ago, I would have told you how nervous I was to move out here. With only weeks left, I am now realizing how much I don’t want to leave my students, the mountains, or Sliceworks Pizza behind. 

I am currently finishing up my student teaching in Denver. I have had the amazing opportunity to learn from two experienced teachers at two public schools on the south side of Denver. My first placement was at Lincoln Elementary in a special education classroom for Kindergarten - 5th graders. I am currently finishing up my second placement at University Park Elementary in a 4th grade classroom.

I’m not sure I could ever explain all I have learned about teaching, or myself, in the last 11 weeks. I can tell you that my students have taught me more than I could ever learn from a textbook. As a teacher, you think that you will teach your students, but I know they have taught me more, not only about teaching, but about life in general. Moving to Denver and completing my student teaching here has given me an urban teaching experience, but what I have learned most is that whether you are in small town Iowa, or the Mile High City, kids are kids. Sure, they come from different backgrounds, and have different experiences, but before anything else, they are kids who are trying to learn about the world they live in. Building relationships with students who have experiences different than my own has been such an amazing opportunity, and I will continue to do this in my future classroom.

I would say the most rewarding parts of my experience in Colorado have been building relationships with my students in the short time I have been here, watching my students desire to learn about things around them, and seeing students’ growth in just 7 weeks. As I finish my time here in Denver, I am looking forward to teaching in Colorado after I graduate, and continuing to learn from everyone around me!