First to Teach, First to Learn: Reflections on my Lesson Plan

     Presenting my first lesson plan was nerve-wracking. I volunteered to go first to help alleviate my nerves. One area I recognize I need to improve is pacing; I need to learn to slow down and engage with the students instead of rushing through my lesson.

     One advantage of being the first presenter was the opportunity to observe my classmates and absorb their strategies. They did an amazing job and taught me effective approaches to writing prompts. For instance, they provided examples for each argument, regardless of whether the students chose to support or oppose the topic and included logical reasoning. They also discussed drawbacks and how to counter opposing arguments. Additionally, they suggested asking a question before starting the topic to make the discussion more casual and engaging. 

       These are valuable lessons I’ve learned from my peers, which prompted me to reflect not only on their teaching methods but also on my own and how I can incorporate their techniques into my next lesson plan. Another important takeaway is the power of collaboration. We are all inspiring teachers, supporting one another as we develop into the educators we aspire to be.