Mr. Blouse's
Educational Experiences
"I am indebted to my
father for living, but
to my teacher for living well."
- Alexander the Great
Farmersville
Elementary, Kindergarten
My first field experience was at
Farmersville Elementary in the Bethlehem Area School District. I was in
Mrs. Veronica McCauley's kindergarten class. Kindergarten ... wow, what
a welcome to education and what a wonderful experience. I thoroughly
enjoyed watching and helping our students gain confidence and
academic knowledge. Their emotional and personal skills progressed
daily, and that was another rewarding aspect of the experience. Though
it was just a 10-week, 40-hour placement, I felt like the value of
working with kindergarten students was immeasurable.
Northeast Middle School, Sixth Grade
My second field experience was
at Northeast Middle School in the Bethlehem Area School District. I was
placed in Mr. Brian Heller's sixth-grade mathematics/reading class.
Certainly,
graduating from kindergarten to the sixth grade was an interesting jump
in academic, emotional and personal abilities. It was a great
opportunity to see the mathematics curriculum at that level, and the
importance of classroom management and maximizing time on task. This
was another 10-week, 40-hour placement that helped me immensely as I
continue toward the path of becoming an elementary teacher.
James
Buchanan
Elementary,
Fourth
Grade
My pre-student teaching
experience was at James Buchanan Elementary School in the Bethlehem
Area School District. I was in Mr. Eric Bellucci's fourth-grade class.
Well, after testing the waters at the kindergarten and sixth-grade
levels, I think I found a perfect fit in fourth grade (though each
level has its positives). Teachers at the fourth-grade level
teach all the subjects as students find their comfort
zones as young people - both academically and with extracurricular
activities. This was a six-week, 100-hour placement that afforded me
the invaluable opportunity of developing and teaching my own
lessons.
Other
Experiences
During my 12 years as a sports
writer at The Express-Times in Easton, Pa., I periodically visited
elementary and middle schools in the Easton, Phillipsburg, Wilson and
Pen Argyl area school districts as a featured speaker. I
educated students about my career in the newspaper business and
day-to-day duties as a sports writer, often leading abbreviated lessons
about interviewing skills and alliteration.
