It is hard to believe that I’ve taught for 3 weeks, a little more if we’re being technical. Some days have been really good, but some days haven’t been so good. I know it’s all just getting used to this new life.
I thought I’d put together a list of the things I’ve learned so far in this journey of teaching/new life. It’s crazy what I’ve learned, and I also know it’s just the beginning. There is so much more to learn. There’s so much more to teach, to understand, to hear, and to learn. You have to understand that there is a part of teaching that is teaching, but teaching is also learning.
So…here are some things I’ve learned.
1) Grammar is the hardest thing to teach…especially when you didn’t pay attention when they went over it in elementary school. (I think that’s the last time I learned anything about nouns and pronouns)
2) Doves can be brown. Seriously…I never knew that, some of my students that hunt taught me that. And…I can tell you when dove season begins as well.
3) Students love a good joke or little story. It’s like their little eyes light up when I say, 'that reminds me...'. Haha, it’s probably just because I’m taking a break from class, but they also seem to enjoy the ‘life-connection’.
4) E-mails from friends are so wonderful to read when you’ve had a long day of teaching.
5) Though friends can be far apart, true friends are never far in heart. (So I totally stole that…but it’s a really good quote)
6) No matter how old you are, you will always miss your momma.
7) One student can make your day when a light bulb goes off in their head and they ‘get it’.
8) Students do NOT like when you make a mistake.
9) Teaching is hard, but something tells me it’s worth it.
10) The in betweens in life are hard. Learning to live by yourself and be in a classroom by yourself is hard. But, life is a lesson, we just have to remember to learn from it.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Becoming an Adult
I was reminded by my friend Emily today that it wasn’t so long ago that I was absolutely DYING to become an adult. The anticipation was unbearable this summer and it made me think back to an earlier time in my life. My whole childhood consisted of playing teacher and studying my own teachers so that I would one day be a ‘real’ teacher. Now that I am, sometimes I wish that I had just taken more time to enjoy being a child.
I don’t envy them. Children I mean. It’s so hard growing up and figuring things out. Understanding the hard parts of life. Understanding what it means to lose friends, family, and loved ones. It's such a hard process to really come into the reality of a young adult. I don't envy my young students either. They're figuring out things too. It's a time in my life that was really hard. I don't think anyone goes through childhood or young adulthood without some issues or troubles.
I am the youngest person in my department and we had the conversation the other day about ‘if we could go back’. Most of the time, it always end with, “Maybe…but only with what I know now”. That’s the thing; we take for granted that throughout all the ‘growing up’ we’re learning along the way.
As my sister is beginning the process of submitting applications to college and thinking about her future, it has made me think back to when I was a senior. It wasn’t that long ago, but sometimes, it seems like decades. Would I go back? Maybe, but again, I’ve learned so much, done so much, met so many people; it is crazy to think that I really and truly am a different person from 5 years ago.
There are many times when I would like nothing more than to go lie in my mom’s lap, or spend the night with Granny, knowing I would fall asleep to her singing my favorite songs and wake up to a gravy biscuit from Hardees. I would love to go back to being that elementary student, playing recess, learning about the simple things that would turn into the building blocks of my education. However, I know I’m also going to be saying in 20 years that I would like to go back to ‘that first year of teacher, that first year of being on my own’; I know it’s all perpetual. I know that I am doing what I’m doing for a reason and I think the biggest reason is that I’m learning. Learning through the good, the bad, the wonderful, and even learning through the sad.
After all, isn’t a part of growing up?
I don’t envy them. Children I mean. It’s so hard growing up and figuring things out. Understanding the hard parts of life. Understanding what it means to lose friends, family, and loved ones. It's such a hard process to really come into the reality of a young adult. I don't envy my young students either. They're figuring out things too. It's a time in my life that was really hard. I don't think anyone goes through childhood or young adulthood without some issues or troubles.
I am the youngest person in my department and we had the conversation the other day about ‘if we could go back’. Most of the time, it always end with, “Maybe…but only with what I know now”. That’s the thing; we take for granted that throughout all the ‘growing up’ we’re learning along the way.
As my sister is beginning the process of submitting applications to college and thinking about her future, it has made me think back to when I was a senior. It wasn’t that long ago, but sometimes, it seems like decades. Would I go back? Maybe, but again, I’ve learned so much, done so much, met so many people; it is crazy to think that I really and truly am a different person from 5 years ago.
There are many times when I would like nothing more than to go lie in my mom’s lap, or spend the night with Granny, knowing I would fall asleep to her singing my favorite songs and wake up to a gravy biscuit from Hardees. I would love to go back to being that elementary student, playing recess, learning about the simple things that would turn into the building blocks of my education. However, I know I’m also going to be saying in 20 years that I would like to go back to ‘that first year of teacher, that first year of being on my own’; I know it’s all perpetual. I know that I am doing what I’m doing for a reason and I think the biggest reason is that I’m learning. Learning through the good, the bad, the wonderful, and even learning through the sad.
After all, isn’t a part of growing up?
Sunday, September 7, 2008
In the beginning...
There are few things in life that I am certain of. However, one of them is that the first week for a beginning teacher is ROUGH! Tomorrow begins week 3 and it’s really hard to believe!
In some ways these past couple of weeks has flown by, in other ways they’ve crept by so slowly I wonder if I’m going to make it out alive. There have been many challenges, lots of stress, upset stomachs, and lots of pondering as to if I’ve made the right decision. The change from student teaching to full time teaching has been difficult. First of all, I went from traditional schedule (6 pds, 52 min.) to block schedule (4 periods, 90 min.). 90 minutes is a very long time! Also, I’m teaching a different grade than want I student taught, so learning a new level has been interesting. It’s all very different.
But, with bad, there is always good too. The English dept is absolutely amazing. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive, kind, and caring group of people to work with. The faculty and administration in general are awesome. Very nice, very positive and they provide a great atmosphere to work in. I have enjoyed getting to know everybody and trying meeting new people.
Teaching is a profession that is multi-layered. If any teacher is reading this, I’m sure they are nodding their head in agreement. It’s not just ‘being a teacher’. It’s being responsible, being professional, being supportive, being a cheerleader for your students, and being flexible, it’s being able to give up parts of your life, basically - it’s a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I like it, well learning to like it, but it’s been a tough adjustment. My life has changed; I’m getting out of the college student life and starting to fill the shoes of a REAL adult! I grade papers, call the ones I love, make lesson plans, and go to bed! It’s been an adjustment for sure!
I know that it’s going to get easier, and I also know that it’s going to be worth it. I have amazing people standing by me and I couldn’t do it without them. As with anything, the beginning is hard. I remember my freshman year of college and how amazingly difficult the first months were, but I learned to cope, and I will do the same with this new transition.
In some ways these past couple of weeks has flown by, in other ways they’ve crept by so slowly I wonder if I’m going to make it out alive. There have been many challenges, lots of stress, upset stomachs, and lots of pondering as to if I’ve made the right decision. The change from student teaching to full time teaching has been difficult. First of all, I went from traditional schedule (6 pds, 52 min.) to block schedule (4 periods, 90 min.). 90 minutes is a very long time! Also, I’m teaching a different grade than want I student taught, so learning a new level has been interesting. It’s all very different.
But, with bad, there is always good too. The English dept is absolutely amazing. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive, kind, and caring group of people to work with. The faculty and administration in general are awesome. Very nice, very positive and they provide a great atmosphere to work in. I have enjoyed getting to know everybody and trying meeting new people.
Teaching is a profession that is multi-layered. If any teacher is reading this, I’m sure they are nodding their head in agreement. It’s not just ‘being a teacher’. It’s being responsible, being professional, being supportive, being a cheerleader for your students, and being flexible, it’s being able to give up parts of your life, basically - it’s a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I like it, well learning to like it, but it’s been a tough adjustment. My life has changed; I’m getting out of the college student life and starting to fill the shoes of a REAL adult! I grade papers, call the ones I love, make lesson plans, and go to bed! It’s been an adjustment for sure!
I know that it’s going to get easier, and I also know that it’s going to be worth it. I have amazing people standing by me and I couldn’t do it without them. As with anything, the beginning is hard. I remember my freshman year of college and how amazingly difficult the first months were, but I learned to cope, and I will do the same with this new transition.
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