Learning and Teaching, all in one

I'm working on things for my classroom this weekend.
When I started this new job, there was nothing in the classroom that I was placed. And by nothing, I mean only a couple of toddler beds and a couple of old toys.
No tables/chairs/supplies/anything useful.
I have worked my tail off this month getting my room to become slightly functional. It still has a long way to go though. Most of my children are English Language Learners as well, so this is a new adventure for me as a teacher. I also have one child that is hard of hearing and barely speaks, and is slightly autistic. She is a joy and a challenge each day, but I'm growing to love her. She also gives me a reason to use/teach a few of the things I know from sign language. That reminds me, I need to learn more.

If you have any sign language learning suggestions, let me know! I would love to be fluent in ASL :) 


On another note,
it is time to start walking
and tanning again!!

Emotional Day

Today was my last day with my sweet darlings. 5th grade has been a much better experience that I ever anticipated. I have become so attach to these children and am going to miss them dearly. It was an emotional day. Most of us laughed and cried off and on all day. The children made me gifts and cards to take with me as I went. My cooperating teacher has been such a blessing through this entire journey and I have made a life-long friend and fellow teacher. She is such an inspiration and I plan to stay in touch with her as often as possible. My children are a blessing as well. They have made me really understand why I chose this as my profession of choice. Teaching is just a hard job at times, but the trails and more than worth it for the rewards. Each and every one my of 110 students have found a special place in my heart that will never be forgotten. It's a bitter sweet day for me. I'm half through the semester and graduation is quickly approaching; yet, at the same time, I'm having to leave my team of teachers and class of students. Several of them told me today that I have made and impact on them in one way or another. That means for me than they will ever know. I love each and every one of them for their own personal reasons. I just know these children will grow up to be extraordinary adults if given the chance to excel to their potential. 

 

Feel the Rush

Sometimes, there just aren't enough hours in the day. I have felt like this everyday since I started internship. I don't have enough hours to work on lesson plans; there isn't enough time in one class to get everything taught I want to teach them; there isn't enough time during planning period; I can't find the time to get a good workout in daily; I don't have enough time to cook a yummy super AND wash dishes; we can just forget about cleaning most days, and I most definitely don't have enough hours to devote to the amount of sleep I need!!

On the plus side, it's so worth it. I love seeing my students each and every day. I love working with them and helping them to learn and succeed, even the difficult ones. These students are amazing and I can't believe that I am over halfway done with this placement! It's bitter sweet. On one hand, I'm getting closer and closer to graduation, and on the other hand, I'm going to miss these children and my cooperating teachers so much! 

I know I haven't done a lot of posting about this placement like I promised(add this to my list of things I don't have enough hours for), but it's going great!! 

I also bought me a new book today. It's been a long week, and I have a lot of lesson plans to work on, but sometimes I just need to "get away"for a while. I love to read (yet again, not enough hours for), but I'm making a point to take a few minutes before bed each night to read. Here is what I'm starting tonight.

I'm dying to see this movie. I just love Julia Roberts; she's an wonderful actress. 

However, I sometimes like to read a book before I see the movie 

if I think it's going to be really good. 

I have heard good things about this book and can't wait to get started! 

I hope you all have a very blessed week.

Getting in the Swing of Things

Wow. I was looking over my last few posts, and it's been a while since I have even done a post. So, let me try and catch you up on a few things from the past couple of days. 

I recently started back for my FINAL semester of college. I am doing my internship this semester at two different placements and will graduate in December! yay! 

**Due to this being my internship, all names have been removed or altered 

and no locations will be disclosed. All personal information is confidential, 

but I plan to blog about the experience as a whole. 

On Tuesday, I went to visit my second placement, which I will be in from October 18-December 14. I got to meet my cooperating teacher and students. I will be in a Kindergarten classroom for this placement., Everyone was super nice and I think that I am going to have a great time there when I go back!!

Today, I started my first placement at a local middle school, and am working in 5th grade. For those of you that know me well, this is really a bit of out of my element because I usually prefer younger children, but I think it's going to be a good experience. The remainder of the week will be filled with observations and just becoming oriented with my team of teachers and getting to know the students/schedule/etc. Starting next week, I will be picking up one subject to teach. Each additional week will be a different subject area because my team is departmentalized. I'm a little nervous about working with the older children, but at the same time, I'm very excited about it. The team I am working with is made up of great teachers and so I know that they will assist me in any way needed. 

Please, keep me in your prayers over the next 8 weeks while I am at this school. It's going to be a challenging and rewarding experience and I plan to keep you posted.