Student Teaching at Coleman Elementary
I have been so excited to be a student teacher at Coleman Elementary in the fall of 2015. Coleman is a warm, welcoming school with excellent teachers who consistently provide a high-quality education for all students.
Observation and Participation at Coleman Elementary
During the spring semester of 2015 I observed at Coleman Elementary School in San Rafael. The school has K-5th grade with 2-3 classrooms per grade. The total student enrollment as of 2013 is 403. There are 18 members of staff (including full and part time staff members). The racial composition of the staff at Coleman is mostly white, with the second largest ethnic group being Hispanic. This represents the student body mostly accurately. While I was unable to attain a direct count of the racial makeup of the student body, I would estimate from my experience that the student body is roughly 60% white, 39% Hispanic, and 1% other.
Overall, Coleman’s campus is modern, clean, and functional. This campus was completely rebuilt in 2005, so it offers modern conveniences such as sufficient electricity for multiple computers in each classroom, and the entire campus is wheelchair accessible. There is a separate building dedicated to providing childcare for the younger siblings of the students, as well as rooms dedicated to art and music. There is a large gym that is used for PE when it is raining and for plays, assemblies, and other whole-school gatherings.
Coleman’s Mission Statement reads, “The School Site Council, parents, staff and students at Coleman Elementary School are dedicated to the belief that Coleman School can offer an excellent learning opportunity for each and every student. We are firm in our understanding that every child's learning style can be accommodated, every child's talents cultivated and each child's challenges addressed and resolved. The comprehensive program at Coleman is designed to meet the individual needs and learning styles of all its students through full access to and participation in a rigorous core curriculum.”
Coleman Elementary has only 3 school rules: 1. I am respectful, 2. I am responsible, 3. I am a learner. Ever week on Wednesday mornings the whole school holds a “morning meeting.” This entails all of the students sitting on the blacktop to receive messages from the principal, doing stretches, and singing the Coleman school song. The lyrics for the school song are as follows,
We are the tigers,
the mighty Coleman Tigers.
We’re going change the world
Because we’re readers
and we’re writers.
We’re here to work hard.
We’ll be safe in the yard.
We’re going to try our best.
We’re going to pass the test.
We’re going to help a friend.
We’ll be tigers to the end.
We are the tigers,
the mighty Coleman Tigers.
We’re going to change the world
Because we’re readers
and we’re writers.
Overall, Coleman’s campus is modern, clean, and functional. This campus was completely rebuilt in 2005, so it offers modern conveniences such as sufficient electricity for multiple computers in each classroom, and the entire campus is wheelchair accessible. There is a separate building dedicated to providing childcare for the younger siblings of the students, as well as rooms dedicated to art and music. There is a large gym that is used for PE when it is raining and for plays, assemblies, and other whole-school gatherings.
Coleman’s Mission Statement reads, “The School Site Council, parents, staff and students at Coleman Elementary School are dedicated to the belief that Coleman School can offer an excellent learning opportunity for each and every student. We are firm in our understanding that every child's learning style can be accommodated, every child's talents cultivated and each child's challenges addressed and resolved. The comprehensive program at Coleman is designed to meet the individual needs and learning styles of all its students through full access to and participation in a rigorous core curriculum.”
Coleman Elementary has only 3 school rules: 1. I am respectful, 2. I am responsible, 3. I am a learner. Ever week on Wednesday mornings the whole school holds a “morning meeting.” This entails all of the students sitting on the blacktop to receive messages from the principal, doing stretches, and singing the Coleman school song. The lyrics for the school song are as follows,
We are the tigers,
the mighty Coleman Tigers.
We’re going change the world
Because we’re readers
and we’re writers.
We’re here to work hard.
We’ll be safe in the yard.
We’re going to try our best.
We’re going to pass the test.
We’re going to help a friend.
We’ll be tigers to the end.
We are the tigers,
the mighty Coleman Tigers.
We’re going to change the world
Because we’re readers
and we’re writers.
I participated and observed in Ms. Looney's 2nd grade classroom.
(See below for diagram and slideshow)
(See below for diagram and slideshow)