Adventures in Student Teaching
Monday, October 4, 2004:
"Today was my first day of sole charge. Just me and 27 kids… It wasn't easy, but it wasn't horrible. I'm glad to have the first day over and done with and I'm looking forward to seeing the kids reactions as they realise that I'm it. I'm what they get.
Their regular teacher is out and about doing other things all day, leaving just me in the classroom. She is wonderful in helping me plan though! I'd be lost without her :) But when it comes to teaching, I'm the one who is in charge - for the next two weeks."
Tuesday, October 5, 2004:
"Would you like some cheese with that whine?
I remember being a pre-teen.
I hated being a pre-teen.
Early teens weren't any better than being a pre-teen.
I never wanted to relive my days as a pre-teen.
I'm in a class with 27 pre-teens.
Why?
Because I have to.
/sigh
I don't wanna!
Sassy and self-centered. That pretty much describes them on a bad day.
Wonderful, funny, smart, hard-working. That describes them on a good day.
Why can't every day be a good day?
I'm finding the load of paperwork involved in being a teacher quite stressful. And I'm not even in charge of ALL the paperwork - there are still some things my supervising teacher must do herself - I'm just in charge of all the planning and teaching for the next two and a half weeks.
It was going to be just two but I bargained to take three extra days of sole charge so I could have a 4-day weekend to go whale-watching on the South Island.
Nevermind me. It's not so bad really, I'm just exhausted and slightly annoyed at having to give 11 - 13 year olds a lecture on respecting me, their teacher - temporary or not. They have so much potential, can be funny, and very well behaved - but they've been pushing me every second for the past three days and quite frankly I'm sick of it. And after today they know it. Hopefully my lecture will have made a difference... if not... I don't know what I'll do.
It's now 5:30pm
I've been here since 8:00am
I need to go make some copies for tomorrow, find a ride home, sit down and do another 2 hours of planning for tomorrow - then probably pass out - wake up at 6:00am ready to go again.
Anyone else in favor of an international mandate for 4-day weekends?"
Yeah - I was starting to feel the stress of being a teacher. And the kids were starting to really test me.
From here on out it was an emotional rollercoaster with my kids.
October 12, 2004:
"I’m almost done with my second week of sole charge, and today I was totally by myself! They didn’t call in a reliever because I was here! I didn’t know they could do that!
The planning is a pain, I spend two-three hours a night just typing up lesson plans. They have to be very detailed for my University supervisor – to prove I know how to do them."
Thursday, October 14, 2004:
"Cool and teacher, in the same sentence?
'You listen to cool music Miss Easterling.'
hehe had to chuckle at that one :)
My kids caught me listening to The Darkness.
Today is my last day of official 'sole charge' that I am required to do. Which means after I brush up the planning for the last two weeks "she'll be mint" (Kiwi saying). In any case I won't be spending hours every night writing extremely detailed lesson plans. Maybe now I can even finish up those 6 papers I have due by the end of the term *cough*"
Monday, October 18, 2004:
"Update 3.1"
I survived my first two weeks of official sole charge. I've completed that portion of my requirements. I'm doing an additional three days this week - one down two to go.......
We're taking the year 7's and 8's (7 and 8 grade) over to a local mountain range for a big tramp - hike. 4 teachers, 1 student teacher, a handfull of parents, and over a 100 kids - It should be interesting."
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
"Phew!
Thank goodness that's over with!
I was just observed by my NZ University Supervisor. She said the school is very happy with me, she liked what she saw, and I won't have to be observed again!
That's a WAHOOOOOO moment!
I am so happy. That's one huge weight off my shoulders.
And thanks to the kids who were so well behaved!
...
Two weeks of student teaching left.
Four weeks in NZ.
(I did wind up extending my trip... but that comes later.)
Thursday, November 04, 2004:
"I was out at two different schools this week; one of the schools I checked out was of a different decile - economic class. I saw their new entrants and year 1 classes, ages 5-6 years old. They were cute but a little more needy than I'm used to - as they are at that age. At the other school I saw a year 7/8, a year 5/6, and a year 3/4. I've also been into a year 3/4 classroom at my school. I am working on going to see some other teachers rooms as well at this school. It's time for me to go outside my little 7/8 world - my 'comfort zone.' Tis a great way to get new ideas and a feel for kids at other ages and what they need. So far it has only confirmed my desire to teach in the year 3 - 6 or grade 3 - 5 (maybe 6). They're a bit more independent than the young ones, but not as 'attitudinal' as the older kids.
I only have two weeks of student teaching left! Eeeeep!"
Student Teaching Completed!
Friday, November 19, 2004:
"I made it!
I actually made it.
It's still sinking in, but I really made it.
I turned in all but one sheet of my paperwork to my advisor in NZ and I have one paper to finish up and send back to MN and I'll be done.
Done.
Finished.
Well as soon as I take the third part of the Praxis II and get my license.
Weeeeeee!"
Back to NoVeMbEr.
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