Professionalism

Professionalism is one of the first things we discussed in my capstone class last week, and rightly so. I think that I have always presented myself well in the schools I have observed/worked in. I've been dressed right, on time, helpful, friendly, etc. But being a student teacher is a whole new level. You are in that school every single day for 7-8 hours. Everything you do, say, what you look like, etc. reflects upon your college and also your future career as a teacher.

It's a little intimidating to think about. Plus, we talked in class about how even outside of school, you have to remember that you are a teacher. You represent the students and the school district you work in. It's not something I'm worried about, but it's something I hadn't really thought about until last week. I guess I'm being forced to grow up (not that I mind) but I've taken on this whole new perspective.

No more is there an issue of really being a student and a teacher - in the school, at least. For example, when I was observing and doing junior practicum, I always wondered whether I should use the student or teacher bathrooms. I know that sounds silly, but it showcases the problem well. You're caught between two worlds. 

However, with student teaching, you are faculty. You really are. You are treated like a school employee. You are responsible for the students you are teaching. Your cooperating teacher is in the room, but he/she is not in charge. You are (okay, for the most part).

Last week, I still felt like a student, but this week, I feel like a teacher. Part of it has to do with the fact that I've actually been TEACHING the first two periods of the day. My own lessons, too. I've been intricately involved in the planning and grading and behind-the-scenes faculty stuff since day one. And I really feel it now. But I'm really confident that I can assert myself. Professionalism is such a big part of this whole experience. I know that it will take me a while to fully develop myself as a teacher, but I'm prepared for that (I think).

On another note, today, my coop was ordering the new books for next year (he hasn't had new ones in almost ten years and I can vouch for their crapiness) - and the two in-class support teachers were encouraging him to order three teacher editions instead of just one, because he was trying to save money. That made me sad because I realized I won't be here past the end of April. I didn't realize how attached I've already become to the school =/ but hopefully I'll have my own school soon. And it will be great.

-Jess 

The first week is over!

And I'm taking a couple of days to rest. And organize.
I have learned so much in student teaching already that it's hard to catalog it all. I don't think I even can. A lot of it has to do with actually being in a school for 40 (unpaid) hours a week, behind the scenes and also front and center. I haven't taught yet but Monday is my test drive - I'll be teaching 2 of the 8th grade classes every single day until the end of April. And every week, I'll add on another class - which means I'll have less time to plan during the day and more time to teach. Which, I guess is the point!

Right now, since I'm just getting back into it, lesson plans are daunting. I'm procrastinating hardcore because I have a sort of writer's block - I'm stuck - how do I get my students to understand something, in an interesting and educational way? I'm really hoping that as I plan more, my teacher brain will kick in more than it ever has before and allow me to plan lessons with (relative) ease. Because once I add the 7th grade in two weeks, I'll be doing double the amount of work. And I'm already doing a lot.

 But I'm not complaining - because that's what I have to do, to be a good teacher. Work hard. Plan lessons. Always take in the needs of the classroom and individual students. As much as teachers today get a bad reputation, I know I picked the right career.

-Jess

Student Teaching Day 2

Student teaching has been an eye-opening experience so far. As I thought/hoped it would be.
The students are so polite, and the teachers/staff have been nothing but welcoming. It's still a little awkward for me when I sit in the faculty room for lunch, and when I'm in the planning period with all of them (because I'm still learning the inner workings of the school and whatnot), but everyone is so friendly that it's not an issue at all.

I'm starting to teach one period on Monday!! This means that I have to have lesson plans on... Friday. Which is in two days. And I have barely been home for the last 48 hours... so I'm gonna do a little planning tonight and a lot tomorrow (AND I can come right home tomorrow at the end of the school day, instead of going to my college - YAY!)

Anyway, I'll start teaching Monday, and every week add another period. I thought doing lesson plans for one class was a lot of work... and now I'll have at least 2. For EVERY DAY. Ready in advance. I guess that's what real teachers do.

And I am, really, becoming a real teacher, and I'm really starting to embrace it.

More soon!

Singing the Certification Blues...

Tomorrow is my second Praxis test out of three (each was over $100 plus a registration fee of $50 or so). Not only has this taken a toll on my bank account for the semester (thanks a lot ETS), but it's also been an unfortunate thing I need to study for. Luckily, I passed the social studies one for middle/high school no problem. I'm taking the elementary one tomorrow so that, if I want to switch within districts, I'll have the capability. I'm not going to outright start looking for an elementary job, but at least I'll have the certification, if I pass.

Taking this test tomorrow means two things.
1) I've had to relearn many things that I learned 8-10 years ago and haven't used since. We're talking igneous rocks (and the other kinds of rocks), angles, chemical processes, earth science, and how to find the volume of the cylinder. It doesn't take long to really "relearn" these things, but it stinks at the same time. If I actually got a job where I had to teach math and science, I would obviously study up on these things. Testing on them now seems kind of silly to me. You would think that having a 3.8 GPA would mean I know something about how the world works!

I just keep telling myself that if I was taking this 10-15 years from now, it would be a whole lot worse.

2) I have to get up at 5:30 am because the closest school to my house is 40 minutes away and I have to be there BY 7:30. Blergh. On a Saturday.

I'm not nervous. I really just want it to be over. Then, one more to go in March...

Watching The Office and going to bed!
-Jess

One of the scariest moments of my life...

...was trying on the first wedding dress.

It was a long time coming. I mean, I've been engaged for a year and a half. I've been planning to marry Mike for a little while longer than that. And along with most other girls, I've been dreaming about my wedding since I knew what a wedding was.

And it's finally on the horizon. It's even this year. I'm extremely excited but everything going on this year (student teaching, graduation, getting a teaching job, and the wedding) is sending warning signals at me that it's time to grow up. Which, really, I'm fine with.

But...

Is it a lot to ask? Will I be judged if I wear sweatpants for three weeks straight again, like I did in December? (probably). Will I have to give up watching Disney movies whenever I'm blue? (hopefully not). Will I be able to get away with instigating my brother? (probably not) (I've been getting better at keeping my mouth shut though). Is it okay that I'd still rather have ice cream for dinner rather than real food? (I'm saying "yes" to this one).

I'm looking forward to starting my new career and my life after college with Mike, and of course, the support system that is my family and friends. I'm lucky.

But, man, today was still scary.

At least I found my dress today =D After trying on several. And I never thought I would end up with the style of dress I picked. I even bypassed it on the website because it didn't look like my style.

Now there are lots of other things to start worrying about/figuring out... but it's going to be fun.

And maybe not so scary after all.

Post-holiday blues

Taking down my Christmas ornaments = sad.
Seeing the bare tree sit there for a week = even more sad. :(

2012 was a great year!

I got this brilliant idea from this post at Single Dad Laughing, which is a blog I have been reading for a while now. Dan writes really thought-provoking posts - you should check out the blog. Anyway, I felt like I needed to do this - to get in the positive mindset for this crazy year coming up. I encourage you to do the same!

2012 was a great year! I knew there would be a lot to do, but everything ended on a positive note.

In January, I finished my senior thesis, which haunted me over the last year. It took a lot of hard work, but now I can say I have 60 finished, typed, original pages of thesis, titled: "The Mighty Man and the Victimized Woman: Traditional Gender Roles in Central European Holocaust Memorials and Their Potential Effects on Holocaust Memory" - sitting in the history department lounge, bound and ready to be opened. This was the biggest accomplishment of my college career (and, I suppose, all of my schooling), and it really transformed my writing and analysis.

January was also when I started student teaching, which was THE culmination of my entire college career. I've wanted to be a teacher since I was about three (along with a published writer, President of the United States, and a famous singer); this is the dream that stuck the most. I was finally in a middle school classroom, learning classroom management - something I've had trouble with as a new teacher. I also got to implement many ideas that I've had for projects and lessons. This is what I had been waiting for, in all those dreaded math and science college classes, waiting for the lectures to end.

Student teaching flew by, and I graduated at the beginning of May. My friends and I went on a short weekend trip to the shore to celebrate.

My awesome cooperating teacher and the experience I had at the school gave me confidence in the job search. By June, I was officially certified to teach K-12 in NJ and 6-12 in PA. I found a social studies job early on in the search, and it's not too far from my house.

The summer was wonderful. I already had a job by June, so I was able to enjoy myself and babysit most days. I substituted in schools nearby until the end of June. I quilted to my hearts content, finished preparing my wedding quilt, and came up with some new products for my Etsy shop. I continued to blog as well. I went to see my favorite band of all time - Coldplay - in August with Julie. I couldn't have asked for a better, more relaxing summer.

In September, it was with complete gusto that I drove to my first day of teaching. I'll never forget setting up my very own classroom in the couple of weeks leading up to the first day. While the first few months of teaching have been a challenge, I learn more every day, and I have a wonderful support system at home and at the school. And, I love the kids. I couldn't ask for more in a job.

On that note, Mike and I have been able to save a considerable amount of money this year. Mike moved into my house in August (before the craziness of school started) and we completely cleaned out my room. I got rid of a lot of clutter and I've never felt more relieved. It's also fantastic to be finally living with my fiance, even if we're not completely out on our own yet. We're planning to move around the time I finish my first year of teaching in June, so I suppose we'll start looking for a small house or apartment very soon - we haven't decided yet.

Our wedding in October was beautiful. Almost everyone we invited was able to come, and we saw people we hadn't seen in a long time. I was able to go DIY (do it yourself) crazy during the summer (under a budget, but still) - and I, along with my bridesmaids, made the perfect decorations. We enjoyed a fantastic day with everyone and we can't wait to go on our honeymoon to Hawaii this coming summer. I finally convinced him to leave the East Coast! ;) I just got all the documents changed to my new last name. I can't believe we're finally married!

The holidays just passed again, and even though I ate more than I should have, I plan to do what I did at the beginning of 2012 and modify my eating habits once again. I've gotten more exercise in since we got an elliptical as one of our wedding gifts... and I'm going to continue to use it at least four times a week. I'm in much better shape now than I was a year ago. Everyone in my family is doing well, too. My mom and grandmother are doing much better. We've been lucky to have good health this year.

Even though I didn't do any international travel like last year (which was the highlight), I had a fantastic year, and I can't wait to see what 2013 brings!