Alyssa Gehr – Education Internship

My name is Alyssa Gehr and I am currently interning at the middle school with my mentor, Mr. Martin, a middle school gym and health teacher. I assist Mr. Martin in middle school gym, boy’s health class, and with the autistic support gym class. Being with so many different students allows many opportunities for me.

Typically, every day I arrive either in the gym or Mr. Martin’s classroom at 9:10. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are gym days and Tuesday and Thursday are health days. Each day provides a routine schedule as well as new projects and challenges. Once a week I will wash the pinnies and I frequently do office errands. Currently, I am cleaning and organizing the gym closet while also taking inventory and ordering new gym class supplies needed such as new yoga balls. In addition to clerical activities, I also have the opportunity to instruct and run portions of a gym class. When gym class begins, I get students started on their warmup and then set up into teams for the game that day. Depending on the unit in class, I will demonstrate how to play and go over the rules. If I see a student struggling, I will try to help them. I was the most involved in the volleyball unit. On health days, I will take attendance and grade papers. I also help students if they don’t understand an assignment. Currently, I am working on a health lesson and activity which must include an open-ended response question.

One of the most challenging and successful experiences I’ve had during this internship experience is working with the autistic support class on gym days. I’ve found that this group of students typically struggle with team games. Because of that, I’ve planned quite a few activities where they can work independently. For example, I set up a circuit in the weight room and, on nice weather days, I will take them to walk on the track. My biggest success with this class has been working with the students and seeing them enjoy working with me. When I first started helping, some students tell me, “no” and refuse to participate. Now that the students know me better, they come up to me and are excited for the day’s activity. I love when the students tell me an activity is fun and when they smile. However, I have had so many challenges in this class. There are many different types of learners and disabilities that make the class challenging to plan and facilitate. I struggled one day recently when a student refused to go on the track and just wouldn’t go outside. Seeing that student throw a fit made me feel bad because I had been making such progress with him. Occasionally there is a student who tries to run away. One day a student wouldn’t do anything because my jacket scared him. Every day brings something new to learn from.

This internship experience has taught me so much already. I have gained confidence in talking to anyone and I am comfortable with all types of people. I have learned it really does take people with different talents and abilities to work in an environment like this one. This internship has helped me with my college decision process because I see how much I enjoy working with kids and I would like to use that gift of mine in the future. I’d like to thank Mrs. Hackman for this opportunity to learn more about myself and Mr. Martin for allowing me to help him.