Done

Music of my alarm rang out this morning and as my eyes opened the only thing on my mind was the fact that my student teaching experience was about to come to a close.

My carpool and I trekked our way down the never ending IA country roads that led us to our final day. Our final day of working with our students. Our final day of lesson plans (well for now). Our final day at Rock Valley Community School.

I opened the heavy, library door and walked into the ESL room. Stuffing my bag into the cupboard I figured this day would be like any other, I didn't expect anything special, my goal was to finish.

As I sat preparing for the non-existent lessons I had for the day CT popped in and we began talking. She asked me how I felt, what I had planned for after graduation, etc...Soon my student came and she stepped out for a bit, only to come back minutes later with a bowl full of snack mix and a Tupperware full of cookies. That's not where the surprises ended though. She left a second time and brought with her a brown colored gift bag decorated with sparkly dots and stripes. I couldn't help but smile.

I opened my package and inside lay a plack with the word "Hope" painted on it in cursive letters. Underneath it read Choose to see through the optimistic eyes. My smile widened and my heart was warmed.

The rest of the day consisted of games with students, a pizza lunch, and hugs...I have to admit, I will miss the sounds of broken English voices :).

Overall I would say that my experiences as an education student and student teacher have been positive. Despite the frustrations and tears that went along with it, I know that if I could do it all over again I think I would.

For those of you considering education...

It's not easy, despite what the rumors may be.

You will be judged both fairly and unfairly, 

You will need to be almost contortionist-like in order to get through some of the hoops you need to jump through.

But don't give up it will be worth it.

You will get stressed.
You will get exhausted.

But you will come out stronger and more prepared because of it.

Don't take every snippy thing your students say to you to heart.

Most of the time they don't mean it,

Plus, their frontal lobes aren't fully developed anyways.

But enforce respect.
You deserve it.

Most importantly,

Love your students.
They may need it more than you think.