Well yesterday was the last day of my first placement. All week I had been a little sad because I knew that my time here was coming to an end. I’m not real good with handling change, so anytime things change, it kind of throws me through a loop til I get used to the new stuff.
At the beginning of January, I was a completely different teacher. I have learned so much in the past 6 weeks about myself as a teacher and I think I have grown and learned more in the past 6 weeks than I have in 4 years of college classes. The classroom is where you really learn if this is what you love. I have confirmed, this is what I love! I love being in the classroom and everything that comes along with it, which is so much more than just curriculum and instruction. Teachers are so many things all at once. You should probably spend a lot more time learning how to handle things than we actually do since there is so much going on. But sometimes experience is the best teacher and you just learn as you go. If something doesn’t work, then say ok and try something different next time. This is one of the biggest things I walk away from this placement having learned. If something doesn’t work, that’s ok. Things won’t go the way you want them to so you plan for flexibility. You plan to have to change things. This seems strange to read but it’s reality.
Another thing I am walking away with is the confidence that I can do this. I may not always know what I’m doing, but who does? Aren’t we all just doing the best we can and hoping that it’s right? We may not all have 25 kids and their test scores depending on our daily decisions, but in some area or another, aren’t we all just doing the best we can and hoping it’s right?? I think we are, whether we have the courage to admit it or not. Courage, there’s an interesting word. My wonderful mentor teacher shared a quote with me Friday. It said, “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” This is something that I will be printing and putting on my desk so I can be reminded everyday that I can try again tomorrow.
To wrap up my time with 5th grade, my wonderful mentor teachers went all out. They had the kids write me thank-you letters and most of them wrote about 1/2 of a page or more and decorated with pictures that they drew. I couldn’t wait to read through them! They were so sweet and wonderful! My teachers (I say teachers because my “official” mentor teacher has a teammate who was just as much of a mentor to me and I count them both as wonderful to me!) also got a cake and little gifts for the kids to give me. It was all a surprise too. I went to take something to the office and when I came back, they all yelled “Surprise!” really loud and it definitely surprised me to hear 45 kids yell
But they had gotten a few little things to put in a bag along with little notes for each one. For instance, one was pencils and the note said something like “pencils for your students who will sometime be forgetful.” I don’t have the notes with me right now b/c I’m babysitting but they are really cute! The gifts were all things a teacher would need and I’ve already started using the colored pens I hated having to leave because I really did enjoy my time and I also learned that I love working with older kids! I thought I was only a K-2 person, but I have learned I have a soft spot for the older ones too haha. It’s such a special age, and while they definitely push buttons and boundaries, they need someone to realize they’re still little kids who need love, encouragement, and someone to keep them in line. I really enjoyed my time there and I can’t wait to go back and visit and sub and see them all again!
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