Field Blog 1: Mayfield Middle School

Mayfield Middle School

Location: Mayfield, OH (Eastern Suburb of Cleveland, OH)

Enrollment: Approximately 900 students

Grades: 6-8 Average 

Class Size: 25 

Number of Staff Members: 120

Classroom Evaluation:

While at Mayfield Middle School, I noticed two types of classroom setups. First, I saw students in long rows, facing the teacher and the front of the room. It appeared to be a longer-stretched version of a lecture type setup. The next type of setup I saw in the classrooms was one in which 4 desks were put together to form one large table. This in which allowed students to form small groups, and also allowed them to collaborate and communicate in a more efficient manner. Setup #1, appeared to limit students' interaction with each other. The lecture style of the classroom emphasized the importance of having eyes on the teacher and the information that was presented to the students. Setup #2, I noticed, students were talking more and they seemed to be more engaged as well. Although, I could not hear the context in which was said, but I do know that there were no students who appeared to be "bored" or "uninterested" in the class.

Teacher Evaluation:

Vocal Teachers = Vocal Students!

While at Mayfield Middle School, I noticed that when a teacher was engaged and creative with the material being presented, the same behavior was visible within the students as well. This agrees with the idea that students are a product of their environment. Why should students be excited to learn if teachers are not excited to teach? As well as vocal teachers, I observed more quiet teachers as well. In this case, I noticed that when teachers seem to be disengaged, students' morale and ability to relate to material suffers. In another classroom, I noticed the teacher answering student's questions individually and close to the student, this did not seem to allow the entire class to hear the question and the answer, which could lead to further confusion of the material, I believe that questions and answers regarding material must be shared among the entire class, thus allowing all students to be 100% on the material. 

Visible Observations:

-Colorful paint on walls in main entrance of school

-Most classrooms observed had colorful posters

-No room appeared "bland" (white and distasteful)

-Carpeted rooms, perhaps for a comfort standpoint

- "Stem" classrooms, science based classes which creativity and ingenuity are the foremost important element to be captured in the environment class

Overall Impression:

Mayfield Middle School to me is a warm and welcoming environment in which students are encouraged to take academic risks. Students have the ability to be creative in many aspects. Teachers, for the most part, appear to be engaged and excited in the teaching process. This is a school in which I would feel comfortable teaching at, going to (even though I did), and sending my child too as well.