Blog #1 Lindsay Smith

Guiding Young Learners

    Observing my mentor teacher so far, I have started learning what it means to support and nurture learners. Her approach to guiding young learners all ties back to meeting them where they are, understanding their needs, and fostering a growth mindset. 

Meeting Students Where they Are

    The first thing is the importance of recognizing each student's starting point. She emphasizes that the better you know your students, the better you can provide the services they need. She makes accommodations and resources easily available, making sure that each student has the tools they need for success. Whether it’s using printed-out texts, text-to-speech software, spell check, highlighters, reading trackers, offering sentence starters, or simply reading out loud to them, she finds ways to support that are specific to them. 

    Beyond just providing materials, she fosters a positive mindset which she has emphasized as especially crucial for middle schoolers, who often struggle with self-doubt and insecurity. They are in a time where they feel embarrassed or frustrated in their environment surrounded by their peers. She encourages students to focus on what they can do instead of what they cant, shifting their mindset toward growth and resilience. When a student feels overwhelmed, she reassures them by saying, “Let’s learn and talk through it together,” making the process feel more collaborative rather than intimidating. It's important for them at this age to be in charge of their own learning and to be informed so they can succeed.  

Building Connections

    What stands out most in her interactions with students is her ability to create a safe and supportive learning environment. She spends time with students in both small-group and whole-group settings, paying attention to how they respond to different teaching approaches as well as different settings. She is receptive to their needs and adjusts her instruction based on their engagement and how comfortable they are. 

    She also gets to know each child as an individual by asking about their interests, making inferences about their learning habits, and sharing small pieces of her own life so she not only comes across as relatable but also to foster a sense of trust in the relationship. She often talks about how being honest about her own mistakes encourages students to embrace imperfection as part of the learning process. This openness helps students feel comfortable sharing their struggles and successes, making learning a more personal and meaningful experience as well as letting her get to know them from different perspectives. 

Supporting the Whole Child

    One of the key takeaways from working with my mentor is her commitment to supporting the whole child not just their academic progress but also their emotional and social well-being. She pays close attention to how students interact with the resources and assistance given. Do they accept help or refuse it? Which accommodations are they actually using? She uses these observations to adjust her approach and ensure each student is getting the support they need in a way that works the absolute best for them. 

    She also integrates the content with real-life connections, making learning more relevant and engaging. Her ability to connect students’ interests into lessons helps them see the bigger picture. Beyond just memorizing or completing the assignments, she wants them to understand, leading to full comprehension. Observing my mentor teacher has reinforced the importance of patience, adaptability, and relationship-building. Her ability to meet students where they are, provide meaningful resources, and foster confidence in their abilities has made a lasting impact on both her students and me. I hope to carry these lessons into my future as a teacher, ensuring that every student I teach feels seen, supported, and most importantly capable of success!