As a pre-service teacher reflecting on my recent experiences, I found myself grappling with the challenges of effectively engaging my students during a lesson focused on reading comprehension and grammar. During Week 3, I realized that my excitement to teach led me to present new material too quickly, which ultimately confused my students. Additionally, their focus on midterm exam results distracted them from fully engaging with the lesson.

In our conversation with Noa, I explored the factors that contributed to this outcome. I recognized that my ambitious lesson plan did not align well with the time available and the students' emotional state. This realization highlighted the importance of balancing enthusiasm with the needs of my students. Moving forward, I committed to breaking down complex material into smaller sections and creating a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable expressing their concerns.

Reflecting on both the situation and our conversation, I felt motivated to grow as an educator. The insights gained from this experience have reinforced my understanding of effective lesson planning and real-time adjustments based on student reactions. I plan to seek feedback from both students and colleagues to identify areas for improvement.

Overall, I'm optimistic about making positive changes for my students and excited about the journey ahead. As educators, we must continually adapt our approaches to meet our students' needs, ensuring they feel supported and engaged in their learning.