Goodbye Winter 2010 Session

Finally, the last week of gymnastics classes in the Winter session is upon us.  The good news?  A two week break from work to focus on school, student teaching hours, the move, and wedding planning.  The bad news?  No paycheck during that time.  Ouch.

For preschool classes, I try to make the last class as much fun as possible by swinging on the rope, extra time in the foam pit, choices in jumps and floor course activities.  This is sometimes difficult because we have to save time at the end of class to hand out ribbons to each of the students.  And little Josie who doesn't want to come up on stage is holding up the rest of the class...



Level classes are much tougher at the end of the session.  Skill testing sheets need to be finalized, instructors need to teach routines, students need to perform the routines for parents, and ribbons need to be handed out.  That is the easy part - the hard part is talking to parents about the progress their daughter or son has (or hasn't) made and what classes they should sign up for next session.  I'm a complete softie and hate seeing kids look at their testing sheets with disbelief and tears running down their little round faces.  Yes, they may know they don't know how to backward roll, but seeing it on paper is a harsh reality.

Each session I try to better my performance as an instructor.  One of the ways my teaching method changed this winter, lessons from my Education class and were applied them in the gym.  I decided to make a personal investment in each of my students and take the time before and after class to ask them about their goals, what they liked most, what they didn't like, etc.  I can honestly say that I have more intimate relationships with my kids.  By expressing a genuine interest in each child, they feel more connected to the class and work harder inside and outside the class.  Parents have noticed the improvement and I've received numerous compliments.

In the Spring session, I plan to continue building connections with my students.  I'd like to take it a step further and make notes on each class to help keep track of each child.  By the end of the session, my goal is to be able to point out specific progress each child has made, whether its a specific skill or improvement in another area such as balance, flexibility, listening and following directions, or overall confidence and independence.

Putting in the extra effort will pay off in many different ways.  The program will improve.  Parents and students get more out of the classes than just a 45 minute gymnastics class.  My boss will notice my hard work and I will get a raise. :)  This is good practice for when I become a classroom teacher.  It makes me feel good!