Thank You Westlake

Hello all! Sorry it has been so long since I have posted – I have been busy and I have a lot to catch you up on!

Last week was my final week teaching at Westlake – I have had a wonderful time there with my teachers and the girls that it was hard to say goodbye. Coming into a situation where the teachers don’t know what training I have gone through or what my experience is was difficult because I had been in a classroom where I felt like the main teacher. This situation was different, I did a lot of observing and slowly transitioned in and co-taught with the three teachers I was assigned to. I really love co-teaching and it is something I have done throughout my university years.

rainy auckland winter

view from my window!

My last couple days at Westlake were awesome, my year 9 (8th graders) and I had a shared lunch where we each brought in a food item and had lunch together – so.much.fun! I was able to just hang with the girls without being in a classroom setting.

One of my students gave me this beautiful ceramic owl that she made and painted for me – first student gift I have ever received and I cannot wait to put it in my classroom. I also got a lot of cards and kiwi drawings to put up as well. I plan on having a New Zealand wall with all my pictures and souvenirs for my students to see.

year 9 - funny faces!

year 12!!

At staff briefing last Wednesday morning all of my teachers came up and said something about me and they presented me with a beautiful necklace called a Pounamu, New Zealand greenstone. NZ greenstone is supposed to be only given as a gift to others. “Pounamu plays a very important role in Maori culture. It is considered a taonga (treasure).” The one I was given was for harmony in my new life and meant for safe travels.

The department also had a pitch-in tea for me on Thursday – all the teachers brought in food and we had tea and coffee. It was nice to sit around talking with the other teachers about my time here.