Stueacher

I'm in the 4th week of my student teaching and snow days are even better now than they were when I was a student. I've also realized how underappreciated teachers are with all they do. It is hard work! I thought waking up at 6AM everyday, but that really has not been an issue. Making the transition to being a real teacher has been the toughest. It was a pretty tough go of it at the beginning, but I think my students and I have found a pretty good groove. I let the little things get to me at first, but after awhile you learn it is not worth it. There will be those that will always give you problems, and those that you can always count on to be excellent. I'm tough. Probably tougher than some of the students like, but I am also fair and I feel like that balances the scales. Lesson plans suck. And I say "um" a lot when I talk. I think it is because I am not real familiar with the material yet so I am trying to slow down my speaking and think before I talk. Otherwise, it will be a lot of word vomit. I had a girl kindly tell me that I said "um" 72 times when I was giving the information. Oops. I have made some pretty good relationships with a few students already and I have also been told by one that she likes their regular teacher better than me. You can't win 'em all! But I have many others to keep me encouraged. There are days that are a constant struggle and others when everything seems to go really well. I am trying some different things this week so hopefully they all go well. I'll report back soon!

Looking Back, Moving Forward

2010, what a year! Okay, it was almost like every other year really. Ups and downs, new experiences, new friends, losing friends, ending school, beginning school. And all of it have made me better and stronger. The most exciting part of 2010 had to be wrapping up my career at IU. While a pretty good 3 and a half years, I was ready to relinquish that experience to some other soul who would enjoy it more than me. However, ending that school career has led me to begin my second school career. The one that will now on be my life.
I would not say that I did an awesome job with my blog last year, but I didn't do too horribly either. So this year, until April at least, I will be documenting my experiences with student teaching. Ideally I would update once a week like on Friday and relay what I encountered during the school week. This week's update would not be that eventful, but I am in the classroom and that excites me quite a bit. I know that this is what I was meant to be doing. I have already had some good encounters with students and this is encouraging as I take over the classroom in the coming days. Right now, I'm enjoying the stressless nights before it ends. 2011 looks to be a year in which I plan to take many steps that shape my life forever. Happy New Year!