Whoa, We're Halfway There...

Wednesday, March 5th marks the exact midpoint of my student teaching experience. Everyone always tends to say "this year is going faster than the rest". Somehow, as time goes on and we get older, time, regardless of the actual duration, always seems to go faster than the time before that. We fail to realize that there are the same 24 hours in each day and that does not change year to year, whether it feels like it or not. (I recently saw a mug that said "You have the same 24 hours as Beyonce". Kind of put things into a funny perspective. Tangent - sorry.)

But, it went quickly. It really, really did. I feel like a mom talking about their child just getting their driver's license when I say that I feel like it was just yesterday that I introduced myself to the class and started trying to memorize all of their names. Well, seven and a half weeks later, and I have memorized all of their names and much more. Of course I've learned things like how to differentiate my instruction and how to plan a unit- all those things they talk about in college courses - but I've learned so much more than that.

I've learned how to deal with "real life" classroom situations. This isn't something we're taught from a professor sitting in class at college. They don't throw situations at you that happen in real life. But, I learned how to deal with SOME. I stress the 'some', because I know that in the many years ahead of me in my teaching profession, I know I am going to come across some seriously wacky, sad, strange situations.

I've learned just how important flexibility is. "Flexibility" is one of those words that we learn about in interview workshops as being a desirable quality in a potential employee. Desirable, sure. Absolutely essential, that's more like it. I've learned that the classroom environment has a way of throwing just about anything your way - anything from a pencil that needs to be sharpened to a full mug of spilled coffee during an intense game of silent ball to a student in rage. All of these scenarios need to be responded to appropriately. What happens when there's an ice cream sale at the end of the day on Friday when you're in the middle of a math lesson? Flexibility. I've learned the importance of it and I continue to learn each day how to utilize it.

I've learned how to be firm. People know me as the girl who likes to smile and is rarely angry with anyone. This doesn't always work in a room full of 10-year-olds. I'm working on refining my "look", the one that teachers have and the one that scares the kids. I learned that firmness mixed with consistency is the perfect recipe for the kids to both respect you...and fear you a little.

I've learned that some kids don't have a support system like I did growing up. Mommy and Daddy may not show up at every game, cheering them on. Mommy might be in jail. Daddy might be working. Holidays might not be as "cookie-cutter" as they are at my home. Not every kid is as blessed as I am. As a teacher, as the person who is responsible for this impressionable child for 7 hours a day, I need to be that support system. I need to get that student to know that I believe in them, that I know they are capable, that I know they are smart. I think that, sometimes, all it takes is someone to cheer a student on.

I've learned  the true importance of getting to know my students. What are their likes? Dislikes? Home lives? Who are their friends? All of these elements play such a massive part in their behavior in the classroom.

I've learned all of these things and SO much more. I learn every day from the environment, from my collaborating teacher, and from my students. One of the most relieving parts of this whole journey is just how much I'm enjoying it. Up until January 20 (the day before I started student teaching), I had plans of going to Graduate School immediately after this in the fall. I never really truly had my heart set on being a teacher. I never had that dream when I was an 8-year-old girl that I wanted to be a teacher when I grow up. Nope, I wanted to be a dolphin trainer, a pastry chef, a stunt person. I had no idea. I continued to have no idea throughout college, changing my major a zillion times. I had no idea until a month and a half ago when I realized how I belong in this environment where I can help, inspire, and teach young people. Finally, I have a clue.

As I look forward to the next half of my student teaching experience, I think about fully taking over the classroom eventually and teaching my unit on The Olympics, which I created completely on my own. I'm excited and anxious (not nervous) to dive deeper into the experience and continue learning. Sure, there have been tough days. There have been days when I drive home for those 45 minutes and notice my eyebrows scowling as I peek into my rear view mirror. These have been the days when I think about my students, with frustration, for one reason or another. Maybe they're not understanding the material, maybe they're not acting like the angels I had hoped for, maybe I'm aggravated at the lives they go home to every day. But, the days when I drive home singing to the radio have outnumbered those eyebrow-scowling days. That alone, says wonders. I am liking this.