Visit to Kestrel Heights School

Professional Development - Engagement Event

Hello again! On Thursday, February 12, 2016 from 8:30am - 12pm I got the chance to visit Kestrel Heights Elementary and Middle Schools. This event was provided for us by Regina Williams with the College of Education. First we met everyone at the elementary school which, from the outside, Kestrel Heights did not look like a school, but once we got inside it definitely had a more welcoming feel. We met the principal Mrs. Webb, who gave us a very nice tour around her school. One thing that I found very interesting about the tour was that she said they have limited space, but use every inch of what they can. I really did see this in action as we walked through the school where they had kids in the hallway doing P.E. class and faculty using "the laundry room" as their office. Another aspect of the school that I really enjoyed was that all of the walls were different colors so that the students and parents wouldn't get lost. I thought this was a great idea because it was confusing to someone like me who doesn't go there everyday. Mrs. Webb and her staff were very kind as we walked around the school and I really loved the whole atmosphere. After the tour in the elementary school, we went on to the tour at the middle school. The tour was very brief but it was great to see how the two compared. The assistant principal of the middle school, Ms. Villegas brought us into the school's media center and told us about how the students are put into a lottery in order to come to Kestrel Heights. She told us a little more about the school and then brought us into the sixth grade hallway to walk in on some classes. Middle school was a lot different of a feel because things were more serious and students are at the age where they are becoming more independent. After going on the tours, I was able to see what it is actually like being inside the school and being inside the classroom. This definitely introduced me to a new point of view of "behind the scenes" in schools. For example, I was able to see how Kestrel Heights struggles to find room for their students and staff, as well as seeing how they run classes and the "method behind the madness." Even though I am not familiar with everything that goes into teaching just yet, going to this event reassured me that being a teacher in the future is definitely something I can see myself doing!