Crystal Wu is a second year masters student in the Early Childhood Education program. This fall she will be student teaching in ICD’s Child Development Laboratory School (CDLS) with children from 3 to 5 years old. This past summer she worked at the Concordia Chinese Immersion Summer Camp for 5 weeks. In this role, she was working with children between 7 and 18 years old to immerse them in Chinese language and culture. Learn more about Crystal’s background, experience at CDLS thus far and her goals for the future.
How do you prepare to student teach?
I try to be in a good mood in front of children. I know everyone has their own personal life, good or bad, but in front of children, they deserve a warm, loving and happy teacher. So I think it’s very important to be a professional teacher.
Could you describe your experience at the Concordia Chinese Immersion Summer Camp?
We lived with kids in the cabins, shared food at the same table, played games and had Chinese classes, most of the time speaking Chinese. It’s a good experience for teaching and learning about American students. I’ve taught English to Chinese kids before, but here the way is more different. American kids have more of their thoughts and ideas, and we share ideas, discuss topics and experiences that interest them, and are more student-led instead of teacher-led classes. We also have tests and projects, but there are not a lot of restrictions. It’s more about identifying a topic and students using their imagination.
What is one piece of advice you will carry with you in the classroom?
I would remind myself to ask about children’s ideas first before doing anything. Because sometimes I want to help them, but we should not help them too much, we need to give them a chance to learn by themselves. Besides, children have their own ideas, so I can’t impose what I think is right or good on them.
What were you most excited about?
I was excited for meeting students in my class, getting to know them and connect with them. I hope I can bring them positive energy. This experience will help me with my student teaching, as I also need to start meeting American children.
How are you finding your experience at CDLS thus far?
I find that the teachers at the school are very respectful of the children’s ideas and interests. We always ask the children, “What do you like? How do you feel? Do you need my help or can you do it yourself?” We also have a daily routine about what materials and toys we need to prepare based on kids’ interests.
My teaching style has changed a lot. I consider myself a very protective teacher who likes to help children with many things, but now I ask them for suggestions and let them do what they can. I’m happy to have all those experiences and willing to learn more.
What are your professional goals?
To be an elementary teacher from 1st grade to 3rd grade in Minnesota, not decided which grade yet.
How will this opportunity assist you in meeting your goals?
CDLS is a very good school for 2 to 5 year old children and a very good learning school for teachers. I really appreciate the opportunity to student teach there. I agree with the school’s teaching philosophy. I come from Shanghai, China, and the education I received when I was young is very different from that in the U.S. This student teaching course can give me a better experience of modern education in the U.S. now. Two or three students follow one teacher and one class for the whole semester. At the end of the semester, we have an opportunity to teach independently for two weeks as a lead teacher. It can better improve our teaching skills and lesson plans. We also have an opportunity to observe a child’s growth in the semester and report to the child’s parents. I think it is a very valuable teaching experience, which will enhance my teaching career.
