Ah, I've made it through a whole week. Well, I shouldn't say I've made it through. I should say I've gotten to enjoy a whole week student teaching. Because really, that's how it's been! I've loved it! Getting to know the kids is a ton of fun. Children really are so multidimensional. There's so much to learn about each of them... And it's amazing how when you spend enough time with them, you actually can remember tiny details.
My cooperating teacher continues to be amazingly supportive. She gives me control of the class during morning meeting every day and during the end of the daily math lesson. Next week I take over teaching math, which will mean that the whole class will be mine from the time they walk in until 11! Yes, that's scary. However, I'm very glad that my teacher is willing to let me jump right in so early because that truly is the only way for me to learn.
I can feel the stress monster rearing its ugly head deep down inside, but I'm praying a lot and hoping to keep it at a healthy level. A little bit of stress keeps me motivated and moving. Too much stress paralyzes me and makes all my work low quality.
Hmmm... Other things I want to tell about this week...
On Fridays I only have 12 students because the rest go to the gifted and talented program. So I taught them about Freedom Quilts (Thanks to Emily, who gave me the idea!!). They were so interested in them! We made our own freedom quilt squares and I used them to decorate the door for the Black History Month door decorating contest. It sure would be fun if we won!
I think the students are really starting to accept me as their other REAL teacher and not just some young lady who helps out! This is huge, and if you're student teaching too then you know that. Sometimes they come to ME to ask a question before they even go to my cooperating teacher. Yayyyy!
My cooperating teacher is just so helpful. And she's helpful in a lot of different ways. Not only does she give me thorough, specific instructional and management advice, she also keeps me laughing throughout the day. There's never a dull moment with her. She's hysterical, very intelligent, and quite competent in her job. I'm so grateful to learn from her!
Make no mistake-- This is exhausting. It's 8:48 on a Friday night and the idea of being anywhere but in bed wearing sweatpants sounds horrendous to me. It's so worth it, though... I really am loving it!
I just hope and pray that when I actually do start teaching, I keep this optimistic, naive attitude I have now. I am too young to be jaded and I intend to stay un-jaded as long as possible. :)
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