Student Teaching

This past few weeks have been a total blur!! My mentor teacher for student teaching has allowed me to take over the classes starting on day 2! WOW. When I used to think of student teaching I never would have thought I'd be jumping in week one! It has been a good experience. I love the kids. The staff is awesome. My mentor teacher is very supportive... but crazy stuff still happens...

This week I locked my keys in the car so I had to call a cab to get me to school. The cab didn't come. I had to call my sister for a ride and let my mentor teacher know I'd be a tad late. I thought I was going to throw up I was so discombobulated from my morning's rocky start!

During my key crisis my kids just stared at me, and then Super Girl giggled. I restrained myself and asked her to please go take a shower. Who needs their 11 year old laughing at them in the midst of a CRISIS? Talk about feeling foolish early in the morning! I walked into my classroom as the bell rang. I had just enough time to set down my bag before starting attendance. It was completely unnerving! Needless to say, the spare key will no longer be kept with Hubby now that he is working overnights!

I also had and early experience with discipline. 4 of 5 classes will not need a seating chart. My last hour is begging for one... how the heck did all these football players get in here? They know each other way too well and are way too chatty. I hate to separate them, but it appears I may have to... We shall see...

I have had to confront diversity issues three times now in just 2 weeks. How odd. The school population is pretty diverse so it is interesting to me that 10th through 12th graders didn't learn to be more sensitive to this earlier. There are definitely teachable moments going on -- and I take advantage of each one. My mentor teacher says I'm doing fine with this. I'm glad I'm an old lady who has dealt with this in the workplace. I'd hate to be a 23 year old fresh out of college dealing with this!

I will be a happier teacher when I'm a week ahead on lesson plans. Currently I'm barely a day ahead and that does not sit well with me. I like to have my ducks in a row with lots of wiggle room... I will get there, I just would like to be there now! I wish I was more patient with myself and more relaxed. The good thing is that I'm more relaxed in the classroom than I thought I would be.... the kids are great!

Balance is really difficult right now. Super Girl has started middle school and that is a BIG deal. Wonder Boy is a 5th grader starting his last year in elementary school and THAT is a BIG deal. I am student teaching which is a BIG deal. Hubby is searching for a job and that is a BIG deal. So much going on! I am very tired but satisfied. Learning so much every day is a bit draining. Keeping all the balls in the air with schedules is VERY challenging. Hubby is starting to adjust to working overnight, but it is a big adjustment. I am finally adjusting to crazy early mornings at the high school. I could use a week without outside commitments to get caught up... I don't think I'll be that lucky...

Please keep us in your prayers if you think of it! We have lots of changes and adjustments going on and I know how prayers can give you strength!
So as I stress, I think back to the summer and wonderful sunsets. I close my eyes and hear the waves... and I count my blessings! Things are crazy, but it is good here and I am grateful.