Oh my… I cannot believe how long it has been since I have posted on my blog. Where did the time go!?!?!?! I have been so busy with student teaching I have barely had time to breathe. So I apologize for my absence for a little while from blogging.
I am in the 3rd week of my second placement for student teaching. Things are going great this placement. I have been teaching since my 2nd day in the school and I really love my students. I am at Fulton Jr. High and my cooperating teacher is incredible. She is really an inspirational person that makes being in the classroom as a student teacher a great experience. My students are really warming up to me. I think it might also be due to my effort in creating very fun and rewarding activities in class.
I was observed today by my supervisor. I had a great lesson and he was very pleased with what he saw. He told me that parts of my lesson was flawless, which is a wonderful complement to a student teacher. He said that I did a wonderful job and he knows already that i am going to be an extraordinary teacher. Compliments and positive feedback like this really makes my more passionate about teaching and French. Not only do I love French and everything about the language, but it lets me know I am successful at what I do, which strives me towards constant improvement!
It is not all fun and games though. I am teaching an alternate education class, which consists of students who have difficulties being in mainstream classes, but also students who are pulled out of regular classes due to behavioral issues. I only teach 4 students and there are always at least 3 adults in the classroom, but last Thursday I had girls jumping out of windows and kicking and breaking windows, I also had students call me every bad word in the book. I had a student just walk out of class without permission or a pass andI also had a student threaten to hit me. So needless to say it is a difficult class. Although, to their defense it was the last day before a 3 day weekend, and they had been behaving very well for the 2 weeks prior to this incident. At the same time, there should never be an excuse for such terrible behavior. I was in shock with what I saw that day, it was not my best teaching day.
Although, teaching is not easy, there are always students that have a bad day, which makes teaching difficult. There are students that come to class mentally not prepared to work. There are students who come to class not expecting to work and they end up being very disruptive all day. But there are also classes that make the entire career worth it. Classes that are focused and motivated and excited to be in school. Those classes really make up for the more difficult classes because the students show you appreciation for the language and the material from the class. It is also very rewarding seeing the successes of students. To see the students learn and grow gradually each day, really makes me happy with the career I chose. It is the small things that make a big difference.
Last placement I really enjoyed my students. They were wonderful and I learned a lot throughout the experience. My teacher was tough on me, but in a way that really helped me grow by leaps and bounds. Not everyday was easy, but looking back I know that I really took alot from my experience. I am grateful for the students that I met that showed me their appreciation for language, and I am also grateful for the difficult students that make my job hard, but gave my the experience to deal with similar situations in the future. I know that with all the experiences that I do have, that I will really become a great teacher.
This past weekend I went home for Easter. It was only the second time I have been home since returning from France, so I really take advantage of the time with my family. The weather was wonderful and I had the opportunity to help out around my house a lot which really helps my parents. I had a great Easter and it was wonderful to be able to spend the time with my family.
There is not that much longer until Graduation and I am really looking forward to the culmination of my higher education at SUNY Oswego. My time here had been precious and very wonderful for me. I am very sad to be leaving soon, but it is wonderful to be able to move to the next chapter of my life. I was accepted to Graduate school at Syracuse University last month. I am very proud of that accomplishment. I am certain that I am going to enjoy my studies at SU. I am going for a degree in TELL (Teaching English Language Learners). I am very excited to start that program. I know that I will be able to have as much success at SU as I have had at Oswego.
I will do my best to continue to update my blog more regularly, it has been very difficult due to my schedule, and I apologize again my my absence. I hope that I can make long posts not to make up for the ones that I have missed. As always I hope everyone enjoys reading my blog and Happy Easter a day late or (Joyeuses Paques!!!)