WEEK FOURTEEN- Weekly Journal

This was a very good week at my placement because I made a noticeable improvement because I decided to step my game up. I've spoken my mind, and managed to use some conflict resolution skills all week. When I have an idea at my placement, I speak my mind. I try to give as much input as I can so that I in turn help out as much as I can. I run ideas by Mme. Mercer or any other authority figure to see if it could work with the specific situation. Thinking of ideas is teaching me to think for myself and apply my knowledge to new circumstances. Seeing how people and students respond to them helps me makes improvements. I believe that people who speak their mind and ideas are confident and aware of their surroundings. This leads to a better reaction from colleagues because they gain a certain sense of trust in you. I have learned that offering my opinion in the shape of ideas and suggestions can really make a difference on how smoothly things flow around you. I am asked for my opinion when Mme. Mercer wants to verify something with me, or even if she passes the onus on me to fully decide on something. For example, Mme. Mercer asked me which two of three units she thought would be best to finish the year off. She left me to look over each unit and decide on my own (based on my opinion) which unit to teach. She also often askes for my opinion when marking work, or planning the upcoming week's lessons. I make a point of always giving my honest opinion, because you can never go wrong with being honest.
I have contributed to my placement greatly in that I have done so much work for the school. I have done projects such as make Graduation signs, that will stay with the school for years to come. I have also done a lot to beautify the school, such as make display cases, arrange bulletin boards, and put other artwork on display. This demonstrates the talent and perseverence that the students have put into their work. I think that I have also made a difference in the classroom, because I have tried so hard to be a good role model so that they have someone to look up to. I also try to indirectly prepare them for high school and the years to come. I feel that being around children gives people an opportunity to teach them as much about life as possible. I do everything I am told to do, and I do it with enthusiasm and dedication so that I work to the best of my ability.
My co-workers always listen to me because they value my opinion and what I have to say. I am so grateful that they take me seriously, because this gives me the confidence I need to speak my mind. They are always open to my suggestions, and give me an opportunity to talk to them. This gives them the opportunity to guide me and improve upon my ideas. It feels so good to have people have faith in you and your abilities, and I think that it really shows in people's work. I am always complimented for speaking my mind in the first place, and if I do something creative and out of the box when I am assigned a job. I am often assigned to arrange displays, and I always try to make them look creative and different so that they catch people's attention. I am rarely criticized, and cannot remember a specific example, but I am given ideas from other people in order to improve and deepen my transferable skills. I enjoy receiving constructive criticism, because it gives me something to work towards. I was assertive this week when Mme. Mercer left me to look after the class while she got something. I had to raise my voice and be firm, and it finally seemed to work. It felt so good to have the class listen and respect me, and this was a huge accomplishment for me.