Friday was the day! I finished my student teaching at North
and said goodbye to all my wonderful students! Looking back on the experience
being there, with an amazing mentor, the best kids, and the most supportive
atmosphere I realize I am so blessed and fortunate to have this wonderful
experience student teaching. I have heard the horror stories and I am so glad I
don’t have any to report!
The hardest thing to do all day Thursday and Friday was to
say goodbye to my students. I gave each one a exit survey about my experience
and I was blown away by the comments (in a good way J ). Being there with them
everyday I didn’t know how much they liked me or what they thought of my
grading, lessons and activities until I read what some of the students wrote.
It is times like this where I am at a loss for words – below are some of the
comments my students wrote. I was also so surprised when some of the students
who I tired to connect but felt like I didn’t came up to me after class and
gave me a big bear hug and told me they would miss me. That is something I will
cherish forever. These students have no idea how impactful this experience has
been on me, and how they have influenced my teaching style and pedagogy.
Teaching
has totally exceeded my expectations. Teaching these kiddos is the best thing,
and that I was something I somehow hadn't anticipated. I thought it was all
about the subject but the children are the
thing. They keep you on your toes. You have to be on the top of your game,
and I think it's great to have that sort of pressure in your profession. The
stuff they come out with is absolutely brilliant – what comes to mind is my
class discussion on the death penalty – that really was a great teaching
moment. When you become an adult you can forget what it's like to be curious,
but the kids remind you – and it is truly an exceptional feeling.
I
know some are finally reading this (Hello North juniors and seniors!) – I gave
them the web address before I left so they could keep up on me and I just want
to thank all my students… thank you for showing me how wonderful it is to be a
teacher. My mom came on the last day of my student teaching, she had to get out
of my apartment and take a break from packing my stuff up and when I was
walking her out to her car she said to me, “ your kids are so respectful and
really seem kind and respect you as a real teacher.” I said – DUH I am their
teacher – they better be respectful! It was just a great complement to my
students and our class environment we have built since December. So thank you
all for making my student teaching so memorable and rewarding, it was truly a
blessing being with all of you these past few months!
So
after my goodbyes, packing and moving all my stuff out of my apartment I
finally flew to Houston to visit with Jeff (the boyfriend for those who don’t know)
for the week. He is a teacher here at a wonderful charter school and he is on
spring break too! It has been a blast here – the weather is amazing, we have
been grilling and sitting out in the sun daily, and we drove to Dallas to see
his sister sing at a conference (at the Opera House- beautiful by the way!). It
has been a perfect week to relax, apply for jobs, and appreciate my
surroundings before heading over seas.
Okay
I am tired of writing but I will give you all an update about my host family
(address so you all can send me stuff), school and other NZ things before I
head out on Saturday mid-afternoon. Oh and some pictures of this week! Miss all my friends, students, and family back home! J
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