Well, today was it. I cannot believe it.
I had an interview with my principal today, but I forgot to take the IWU form...is that ok? I completely spaced on the first question but after that I think I did ok. I tried to cut myself short and not drag out my answers...that was encouraging:)!
I was holding in the tears until one of my students hugged me in a way that I knew he would truly miss me. Of course, the students are all going to "miss" me; they all wanted hugs and acted "all sad" and such, but he almost clung to me and gave me a really long, deep (if I can use that word) hug. He didn't realize it was my last day until later in the afternoon. As I was reflecting on it, I thought that perhaps he actually thought he had a friend. He was listened to, believed in, and had expectations set before him.
I have also thought about things I could've done, and although I cannot change the past, I can keep those things in mind for the future.
I thank you for ALLLLLLLLLLL your support this semester! A thank you is not enough. I am sure we will remain in contact...even in the near future, so I have no worries there. I am so grateful you were my supervisor; a true gift from God!
I hope you have a WONDERFUL break with your husband and boys! Try to rest and enjoy your time with family and friends!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Journal 12/15/09 1 day!
WOW! Time has flown! It went great without my teacher today! The students were wonderful! And the sub (that she said is controlling:)) worked well with me. I just made sure I gave her stuff to do with students and tried to make her feel useful and appreciated!
I wonder if they just had a good day or if it was because they had more consistency today. I don't equate her being gone with their behavior, but it does make me wonder:)!
The student that's been so hard to "figure out"...well, he had a great day today! I called his mom right after school; I rewarded him; we praised him in class and clapped for him (because the students noticed too); he stood in line; he participated in class; he sat in learning position; it was amazing! I had written a note in his assignment book yesterday that he had had a better day; when I called him mom, she said he had been happy about that. It's amazing what a little encouragement can do for someone! It will be interesting to see where this goes. And this was only one day after mom being home when he gets off the bus!
No worries at all...I know you have a lot to do! If you never read them, that's even ok with me! You do what you need to do!
It hasn't quite hit me yet that tomorrow is my last day...I think it will be hard but freeing at the same time!
P.S. Tom has an interview with Ohio State on Friday!
I wonder if they just had a good day or if it was because they had more consistency today. I don't equate her being gone with their behavior, but it does make me wonder:)!
The student that's been so hard to "figure out"...well, he had a great day today! I called his mom right after school; I rewarded him; we praised him in class and clapped for him (because the students noticed too); he stood in line; he participated in class; he sat in learning position; it was amazing! I had written a note in his assignment book yesterday that he had had a better day; when I called him mom, she said he had been happy about that. It's amazing what a little encouragement can do for someone! It will be interesting to see where this goes. And this was only one day after mom being home when he gets off the bus!
No worries at all...I know you have a lot to do! If you never read them, that's even ok with me! You do what you need to do!
It hasn't quite hit me yet that tomorrow is my last day...I think it will be hard but freeing at the same time!
P.S. Tom has an interview with Ohio State on Friday!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Journal for 12/14/09 Time flies...
Even though I was tired today, I was more energized when teaching. The students responded very well. It's amazing what a bag of popcorn can do:)!
The only thing that is on my mind now is getting in all the grades. I still have some students who need to finish things, and so that is what needs to get done these next few days.
I will be teaching the whole day tomorrow, for my teacher will be out, so I will lose a few hours of catching up, but that's alright.
I told my principal today of my "decline", and he was perfectly fine with it! He said he has others in mind. I was just grateful it was so easy. I never have liked telling people "no".
We have an interview set up for Wednesday! Remember, Miss L, short, concise answers, eye contact, and always professional:)! And I thought the hard parts were over! Just kidding!
I wonder when it will hit me that it's almost over. I do feel like this chapter is over, and now it's time to move on. I go to meet the couple that Prof Jones referred me to tonight. We'll see where that leads!
Have a great last few days! Finish strong!
I hope you enjoyed all that grading!!
The only thing that is on my mind now is getting in all the grades. I still have some students who need to finish things, and so that is what needs to get done these next few days.
I will be teaching the whole day tomorrow, for my teacher will be out, so I will lose a few hours of catching up, but that's alright.
I told my principal today of my "decline", and he was perfectly fine with it! He said he has others in mind. I was just grateful it was so easy. I never have liked telling people "no".
We have an interview set up for Wednesday! Remember, Miss L, short, concise answers, eye contact, and always professional:)! And I thought the hard parts were over! Just kidding!
I wonder when it will hit me that it's almost over. I do feel like this chapter is over, and now it's time to move on. I go to meet the couple that Prof Jones referred me to tonight. We'll see where that leads!
Have a great last few days! Finish strong!
I hope you enjoyed all that grading!!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Journal for 12/11/09
We met with the mom today, and the special ed director was able to join us too. I was the first to see her - to take her into the conference room. I just tried to make her feel comfortable and talk about the shopping she did yesterday, etc. The special ed director was really able to help by suggesting a counselor in town that also uses horse therapy. So the mom is going to start with that and with talking to her allergy doctor to see if they can direct her (apparently he's allergic to a lot of things, and this might be one cause of his behavior). The mom is also moving to day shift, so that will hopefully bring more consistency with homework and behavior after school. We were able to suggest some activities to do with him at home after school to help develop some other interests besides computer games and also to give him some quality time with his mom - we also thought that maybe as one of the middle children (and as a quieter one) that maybe he is getting overlooked or "lost" (those were more his mom's thoughts, and then we fed off those). She cried and expressed her regrets as a mom, and they were quick to assure her that she had not failed as a mother.
I shared some encouraging, positive things about her son with her. I also told her that the fact that she had come in meant something HUGE! I hope things start to turn around. Our problem now is that we don't know what consequence to have for his disrespect in the class. Some consequences just make him more mad and angry and he gets into one of his "moods"; other consequences he just doesn't respond to - he ignores more. Obviously, we could send him down to the assisstant principal for discipline issues but his form of "punishment" is not what I believe this child needs or is appropriately considering we don't know the cause of his behavior. I just don't feel that's fair to him (if that makes sense). My teacher and I discussed it, and we are at a loss at this point. I am hoping that the change at home will help turn things around. We'll see. It just might take some time.
The principal was supposed to get back to me about a time that would work for an interview, but he hasn't. I have not bothered him about it again. Any suggestions? I feel like the couple times that I already talked to him about it, it was a "bother" just because he is busy; I could have been reading more into it, of couse. I just want to be respectful.
Also, I think Monday I am going to share my decline in the aide position. Is that the proper way to handle that? (I think so; I just want to make sure) I just want to be honest with him and tell him that for personal reasons, I just feel led down a different direction this semester and that as much as I appreciate the opportunity, the other options I had in mind are just going to fit my needs better. Should I also apologize for showing a lot of interest and not accepting? Just curious if you had any suggestions or words of wisdom.
My teacher also told me that she was proud of the way I handled the aide. We were discussing the sub that I will be working with on Tuesday and how controlling she is and that led to discussing the aide. I won't go into detail, but she just said I had done well. She also said something about the "things she had said when I wasn't looking or she didn't think I could hear"; again, some of the things she says makes me wonder WHY she says them to me. The other day too, the student we are trying to figure out would not go to library/talk to us about what was going on. He never did tell us what was wrong, but in the meeting today, she brought that up and definitely used the reason I had asked the student about which involved an activity I was doing with him...she may mean nothing by it, but almost every time, it has really surprised me.
I will miss her...we've developed a good relationship. I love that aspect of student teaching...so much!
Have a great weekend...any last weekend plans? :)
I shared some encouraging, positive things about her son with her. I also told her that the fact that she had come in meant something HUGE! I hope things start to turn around. Our problem now is that we don't know what consequence to have for his disrespect in the class. Some consequences just make him more mad and angry and he gets into one of his "moods"; other consequences he just doesn't respond to - he ignores more. Obviously, we could send him down to the assisstant principal for discipline issues but his form of "punishment" is not what I believe this child needs or is appropriately considering we don't know the cause of his behavior. I just don't feel that's fair to him (if that makes sense). My teacher and I discussed it, and we are at a loss at this point. I am hoping that the change at home will help turn things around. We'll see. It just might take some time.
The principal was supposed to get back to me about a time that would work for an interview, but he hasn't. I have not bothered him about it again. Any suggestions? I feel like the couple times that I already talked to him about it, it was a "bother" just because he is busy; I could have been reading more into it, of couse. I just want to be respectful.
Also, I think Monday I am going to share my decline in the aide position. Is that the proper way to handle that? (I think so; I just want to make sure) I just want to be honest with him and tell him that for personal reasons, I just feel led down a different direction this semester and that as much as I appreciate the opportunity, the other options I had in mind are just going to fit my needs better. Should I also apologize for showing a lot of interest and not accepting? Just curious if you had any suggestions or words of wisdom.
My teacher also told me that she was proud of the way I handled the aide. We were discussing the sub that I will be working with on Tuesday and how controlling she is and that led to discussing the aide. I won't go into detail, but she just said I had done well. She also said something about the "things she had said when I wasn't looking or she didn't think I could hear"; again, some of the things she says makes me wonder WHY she says them to me. The other day too, the student we are trying to figure out would not go to library/talk to us about what was going on. He never did tell us what was wrong, but in the meeting today, she brought that up and definitely used the reason I had asked the student about which involved an activity I was doing with him...she may mean nothing by it, but almost every time, it has really surprised me.
I will miss her...we've developed a good relationship. I love that aspect of student teaching...so much!
Have a great weekend...any last weekend plans? :)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Journal for 12/10/09 Still no 2 hour delay:(
The mom forgot about our meeting, so we are planning on it tomorrow instead.
We did centers this morning (and math was included), so this morning went better. We also did a volcano this afternoon which helped management because they didn't want to have to go back to their seats for that:)! They did super well.
I should put myself in their shoes...you are right.
I have been observing other teachers; trust me, it's not that I don't have enough to do. The other teachers...it's sad. I even observed an IWU grad (from just 2 or 3 years ago) today, and I wasn't really impressed a whole lot. I know that it was only for one subject but still.
I was so excited about this - I talked with Prof Jones in the office today and was telling her how I'm not quite sure what I will be doing next semester but how I don't really want to be in the school setting...just something more low key. She gave me a card for a friend who needs a sitter...which is what I wanted! ( and still want) I asked God for a sign. Now, I know this is not final by any means, but my oh my! How cool is He?
Hope you had fun tonight with your class!
Keep those dreams funny!
We did centers this morning (and math was included), so this morning went better. We also did a volcano this afternoon which helped management because they didn't want to have to go back to their seats for that:)! They did super well.
I should put myself in their shoes...you are right.
I have been observing other teachers; trust me, it's not that I don't have enough to do. The other teachers...it's sad. I even observed an IWU grad (from just 2 or 3 years ago) today, and I wasn't really impressed a whole lot. I know that it was only for one subject but still.
I was so excited about this - I talked with Prof Jones in the office today and was telling her how I'm not quite sure what I will be doing next semester but how I don't really want to be in the school setting...just something more low key. She gave me a card for a friend who needs a sitter...which is what I wanted! ( and still want) I asked God for a sign. Now, I know this is not final by any means, but my oh my! How cool is He?
Hope you had fun tonight with your class!
Keep those dreams funny!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Follow Up
We have wondered about a behavior/emotional disorder for this student, but we aren't quite sure yet. My teacher has looked through a book that has a lot advice for certain "labels" or "student types". She is going to start keeping a journal on him. I also think the special ed director is going to meet with us, so we will see! I wish you could observe him.
Journal 12/9/09 Preach it to the Choir, Olivia
Ok, so I said something to my students today that was convicting...I told them that they still need to give me their best because I'm giving them my best...what a lie. While I was saying it, I realized that I haven't been giving them my best. I can't even put to words how I have felt or acted and just how my time with them has been. I have lost my spark and energy; I don't if it's because I'm tired and ready to be done; I don't know if it's just hard because it's not "mine" any more and therefore, it's "secretly" frustrating to just be "helping"...even though I basically am still taking over from 10-then of school (2:45). I know I've had alot on my mind too; I just feel like I spend the whole time trying to manage them. But I've gone in with that expectation, so I need to bring my best and my A game instead of a bad attitude. They seem to have lost respect for me...but that could be because of the whole transition...I know I've already said all this, but I've just been reflecting on it more and more. I haven't "enjoyed" teaching these past few days...I still LOVE it but haven't enjoyed it. I just don't want to spend these next couple days on a bad foot with the students; I need to talk to my teacher about it...any advice?
You're last night class is tomorrow....are you excited?
You're last night class is tomorrow....are you excited?
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