Mary Redden

Domain 3 Reflection  

Instruction

Year 3

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Regents Chemistry has really been another great new experience for me.  Although brand new to the subject, my co-teacher is a fantastic teacher who knows the subject extremely well.  He's very planned and structured, which is absolutely necessary in preparing students for the regents.  Chemistry is not an easy subject and the majority of the students struggle with it, but they're living up to the challenge and I couldn't be prouder.  I have six special education students mixed in with fourteen typical students and I think it might be my favorite class of students I've ever had.  It's a lot of work and my co-teacher has done an amazing job at teaching me exactly when to introduce this topic vs that topic and why.  Keeping them on top of their work, while motivating them to study, and continuing to raise the bar for them to meet is a really challenging task, and Mr Russo is incredible at it.  Motivating students to work but not overwhelming with work is a constant balancing act that I'm learning to do in small steps but it's easy because the kids are just the best, and it's a pleasure to end my day with them everyday. 

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