Day 5: What do you think is the most challenging role a teacher plays? Why?

I switched teachers this time.  I am now helping in a second grade class.  I wanted to split my hours and spend half the time in an older grade and half the time in a younger grade.  The reason I did this is to give an opportunity for myself to see what it is like to teach in the different levels of education. 

The teacher that I helped had each child read out loud to themselves.  I walked around and had each child read to me.  I feel the most challenging role a teacher plays is being able to fit the needs of the student.  I listened how each student were reading at different reading levels.  One child could read without problems at a really good pace.  While there was another student that struggled to sound the words out.  The teacher would need to find a way to challenge the student who could read really well  and at the same time find material that would help the other student grow. 

Another example was I helped the students write how to crave a pumpkin in their own words.  Some children had no problem doing this task.  While others need help spelling words.  A teacher would need to balance their time.  They wouldn't be able to focus their time on one student, even if the student needed help but make sure the overall class was accomplishing the task.  One good way to find time for the one student would be during recess or lunch.