The Impact of Phonics

Today I received my school placement. I must admit I am excited to begin; excited to meet my students and begin building an empowering relationship with them. That being said, I was at the same time struck today by the task before me. For some reason as we were discussing phonics and the in’s and out’s of reading…a feat I usually accomplish without thinking…I thought to myself “oh crap, this is no joke!” We are not going simply to read to a child as perhaps I thought upon applying, but to TEACH READING! You know how you know something but then something happens and it sinks in and then you KNOW it? That’s what occurred for me today. Although I have taught before, my prior students were teenagers, individuals who came to me with their educational foundation already laid by others. This will be a new challenge for me and much is riding on my performance. And by much I mean, six individuals, six children, six students who are in essence, the future of my community.