There's something about today that really has given me a sense of calm. Maybe its the way the rain paints lines across my window, or how it dances softly on my roof. All I know for sure is that for some reason today is a day of serenity.
Even my 7th grade boys were low-key.
I know it's been about a week or so since I've blogged, but in all honesty there isn't much to tell. I finished up my full-time student teaching portion of my session and am currently on the downhill slope. My days are relatively simple now. In the actual classroom I teach an elementary group in the morning and then I move on to small groups in the library throughout the day. It's a nice way to slowly fade out from my position.
On Monday I'll meet with my supervisor one last time to go over my assignments and professional portfolio. It's weird to think that I'll be done after next week, I will admit I am ready though. The possibility of having my own classroom some day excites me!
In other news...
I had an interview up in Worthington, MN the other day and I think it went well. It was kind of an interesting experience getting there though. Highway 60 was closed so I got to play the "blindly-find-the-school" game. Luckily I had the principal's number and she was more than happy to lead me out of the dark. Getting lost was kind of a blessing though. Down each residential area I drove I noticed that the amount of Caucasian people were few to none. My small-town (turns out there's actually about 11-12,000 people there), Midwest assumptions that I had about this school were shattered. Excitement grew inside me.
I finally made it and the principal (we'll call her Principal E) walked out and greeted me with a smile. Being that we had a good chunk of time before the actual interview was scheduled, we hopped in her car and she gave me a tour. She told me that Worthington was the second most diverse city in the whole state of Minnesota. It was kind of funny because she said that she went with her daughter to a track meet in a relatively white area and her daughter asked, "Mom, where are all the black kids?" My excitement swelled even more. As we continued our tour I could immediately tell that a good majority of the city was on a lower socioeconomic scale. Principal E told me that when she started teaching at the school many of her students were on a free lunch plan. After hearing this I was eve more thrilled at what this job possibility might hold.
We made our way back and she gave me a tour around the school. It's a small building and all classes are split. If I get hired I will be teaching mainly 5/6, some 7/8, as well as 3/4. The board members came and we all made our way to the library. It was kind of strange because throughout the whole experience I really wasn't that nervous at all, which is a blessing in itself. After about an hour our time together was complete. Principal E walked me to the door and, with a handshake and a smile, we said our goodbyes.
I won't know for sure if I have the job until next week, but I know it is one that I would love to have. Being a minority for once and working with such a diverse (not only in ethnicity) group of students would be great. But if it's not meant to be, then I know God has something else planned. One of my roommates even said "If nothing else, at least it's practice!"
I'll keep you posted
Lessons Learned This Week:
-Interviews really aren't that scary, all you need is confidence.
-It's important to keep a good sense of humor with students.
Goals for Next Week:
-Finish strong.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
True Love
This entry is not about student teaching, this entry is not about me, this entry is about the person who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Thursday night, 5:45 to be exact. I traveled with my roommates and a few friends to a church a few miles away from school for a Maudy Thursday service. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with Maundy Thursday, it is a remembrance of when Jesus broke bread with his disciples before he was crucified.) It was Lutheran church, much more conservative than what I am used to. The pastor had a white collar and I think about 75% of the congregation was over the age of 65. I wasn't really sure what to expect from this service.
The sanctuary was small with streams of color protruding from stain glassed windows. We sat in cushioned pews and an illuminated cross hung before us on the wall. Music began to flood out of an organ and songs spilled from our lips as we sang from a green colored hymnal. The pastor told us to be seated and he began his sermon. My eyes began to wander as he preached about the Last Supper. They bounced around until they saw a banner of Jesus with a small child. Any other night I wouldn't of have had a second thought about it. After all, it's a church, pictures of Jesus are everywhere. But for some reason this was different. The way He was looking at this child, it was as if they were having a discussion. I soon wondered, what would it have been like to talk with Him?
I couldn't stop looking at it. My mind was filled with pictures and possibilities of discussions that Jesus and I would have. What did His voice sound like? If He took my hand I bet his hand would be soft but strong, comforting and secure. If I hugged him how tightly would he hug back? Did he really look like the European idea that all of the pictures give us or would he be more middle Eastern? (My guess was always the latter). If I could talk with Him before the night he was nailed up on Golgotha, what would I say? Would there be words or would we sit shoulder to shoulder with the same worried thoughts going through our minds?
I switched my glance back to the pastor and before I knew it a wooden cross was standing up by the pulpit. Black cloths covered both it and the tables. My eyes bounced back to the picture of my savior.
He died so that I may live...so that everyone may live.
There are no words.
Thursday night, 5:45 to be exact. I traveled with my roommates and a few friends to a church a few miles away from school for a Maudy Thursday service. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with Maundy Thursday, it is a remembrance of when Jesus broke bread with his disciples before he was crucified.) It was Lutheran church, much more conservative than what I am used to. The pastor had a white collar and I think about 75% of the congregation was over the age of 65. I wasn't really sure what to expect from this service.
The sanctuary was small with streams of color protruding from stain glassed windows. We sat in cushioned pews and an illuminated cross hung before us on the wall. Music began to flood out of an organ and songs spilled from our lips as we sang from a green colored hymnal. The pastor told us to be seated and he began his sermon. My eyes began to wander as he preached about the Last Supper. They bounced around until they saw a banner of Jesus with a small child. Any other night I wouldn't of have had a second thought about it. After all, it's a church, pictures of Jesus are everywhere. But for some reason this was different. The way He was looking at this child, it was as if they were having a discussion. I soon wondered, what would it have been like to talk with Him?
I couldn't stop looking at it. My mind was filled with pictures and possibilities of discussions that Jesus and I would have. What did His voice sound like? If He took my hand I bet his hand would be soft but strong, comforting and secure. If I hugged him how tightly would he hug back? Did he really look like the European idea that all of the pictures give us or would he be more middle Eastern? (My guess was always the latter). If I could talk with Him before the night he was nailed up on Golgotha, what would I say? Would there be words or would we sit shoulder to shoulder with the same worried thoughts going through our minds?
I switched my glance back to the pastor and before I knew it a wooden cross was standing up by the pulpit. Black cloths covered both it and the tables. My eyes bounced back to the picture of my savior.
He died so that I may live...so that everyone may live.
There are no words.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
It's All About the Attitude
Well I'm working with high schoolers and junior highers...it was bound to happen eventually.
So CT and I have this student in our beginner's class who pretty much thinks he owns the moon (I'm not writing this post to bash him...that would be dumb). He's a good kid, he really is but his attitude could use some work. Next week is my full week of teaching and CT mentioned it to them during 4th period. I was elsewhere at the time, but CT told me his reaction. He threw his hands up in the air and made a disgusted noise. Now keep in mind he did it as a joke and I realize that, but still disrespectful nonetheless. I am the teacher, he is the student and that will be clear.
So I took him aside and we had a calm chat. It's always kind of funny at first when I ask students to come talk to me. They kind of freeze for a second at first and get either a deer-in-the-headlights or the "OMG she knows something" look (I mean c'mon, I'm a relatively small person...how scary can I be?). He was kind of quiet and apathetic during class but I think he got the message.
I can't say I like working with secondary kids any less though, they're still a kick :).
On to something completely unrelated...
I leave you with a Bible passage from Matthew 6. We went over it in Sunday school last week and it really made me think about two things. First worrying is pointless and really does nothing but make people sick. Second, to think about what other "gods" I'm putting my faith in besides the one true God.
Read it, think about it, and have a fabulous weekend!
So CT and I have this student in our beginner's class who pretty much thinks he owns the moon (I'm not writing this post to bash him...that would be dumb). He's a good kid, he really is but his attitude could use some work. Next week is my full week of teaching and CT mentioned it to them during 4th period. I was elsewhere at the time, but CT told me his reaction. He threw his hands up in the air and made a disgusted noise. Now keep in mind he did it as a joke and I realize that, but still disrespectful nonetheless. I am the teacher, he is the student and that will be clear.
So I took him aside and we had a calm chat. It's always kind of funny at first when I ask students to come talk to me. They kind of freeze for a second at first and get either a deer-in-the-headlights or the "OMG she knows something" look (I mean c'mon, I'm a relatively small person...how scary can I be?). He was kind of quiet and apathetic during class but I think he got the message.
I can't say I like working with secondary kids any less though, they're still a kick :).
On to something completely unrelated...
I leave you with a Bible passage from Matthew 6. We went over it in Sunday school last week and it really made me think about two things. First worrying is pointless and really does nothing but make people sick. Second, to think about what other "gods" I'm putting my faith in besides the one true God.
Read it, think about it, and have a fabulous weekend!
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Do Not Worry
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Lessons Learned this Week:
-Not every student will like me.
-Patience is a virtue.
Goals for Next Week:
-Be super awesome at teaching ESL full-time for the first part of the week.
-Enjoy my upcoming 5 day weekend!
-Not every student will like me.
-Patience is a virtue.
Goals for Next Week:
-Be super awesome at teaching ESL full-time for the first part of the week.
-Enjoy my upcoming 5 day weekend!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
No Words
Everyone has a story. There's always something deeper than the dark, color-surrounded pupils of the eyes of whom we are so familiar.
I had no idea how deep these stories ran within the blood of my students. Yesterday CT and I sat down and she told me everything about their backgrounds and what their home-lives were like. Many go home at night to broken families with unsupportive, immature, or apathetic parents. No wonder some of their motivation is so low.
One of the main reasons why I want to be a teacher is so I can be a positive influence to those who don't have one. I'm not saying this to impress anyone, or make myself sound like a saint...because I'm not. I say it because for some kids (not just my students) school is the only safe, sane, stable place there is. I want to be a person that students feel comfortable talking with and can trust.
James 1:27 states:
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Merely being there for a child is the bare minimum of what God expects me to do with my calling as a teacher.
I had no idea how deep these stories ran within the blood of my students. Yesterday CT and I sat down and she told me everything about their backgrounds and what their home-lives were like. Many go home at night to broken families with unsupportive, immature, or apathetic parents. No wonder some of their motivation is so low.
One of the main reasons why I want to be a teacher is so I can be a positive influence to those who don't have one. I'm not saying this to impress anyone, or make myself sound like a saint...because I'm not. I say it because for some kids (not just my students) school is the only safe, sane, stable place there is. I want to be a person that students feel comfortable talking with and can trust.
James 1:27 states:
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Merely being there for a child is the bare minimum of what God expects me to do with my calling as a teacher.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Rejoice
Can I just start out with saying that I love God and am constantly amazed at out how He works?
D and I were taking a walk and our friend, AC (not to be confused with air conditioning) came up to us and asked "Can I just tell you guys about how amazing God is?" Immediate response...um YEAH! He told us a story of a recent time when he experienced such a strong connection with God that it was overwhelming. My words would fall short compared to what he told us, but it really got me thinking about my faith. Overall I would say my beliefs and faith are strong, but sometimes my trust falls short. Often times I'll solely depend on myself and leave God out of the picture. Not okay. So my goal for the rest of the semester (well, more like the rest of my life) is to not be afraid to let go. Not be afraid to say, ok God, you got this...because no matter what, He does. I don't think I can be reminded of this enough.
On a similar note...
For dinner devotions this evening I shared Philippians 4:4-7:
D and I were taking a walk and our friend, AC (not to be confused with air conditioning) came up to us and asked "Can I just tell you guys about how amazing God is?" Immediate response...um YEAH! He told us a story of a recent time when he experienced such a strong connection with God that it was overwhelming. My words would fall short compared to what he told us, but it really got me thinking about my faith. Overall I would say my beliefs and faith are strong, but sometimes my trust falls short. Often times I'll solely depend on myself and leave God out of the picture. Not okay. So my goal for the rest of the semester (well, more like the rest of my life) is to not be afraid to let go. Not be afraid to say, ok God, you got this...because no matter what, He does. I don't think I can be reminded of this enough.
On a similar note...
For dinner devotions this evening I shared Philippians 4:4-7:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Just chew on that for a second...
...Read it again...
...One more time...
And now my reason for reading it...
...Read it again...
...One more time...
And now my reason for reading it...
Being an ESL teacher is hard, it's a fact. Your patience will be tested and no two lessons will be the same. But I couldn't love it more. God has shown me little things this week that help me to know that things will be okay. Student E is our lowest student when it comes to comprehension. Her language skills are at a level 1ish, where the others are at a level 2. She tries though. But this week something really clicked, I don't know what it was but something just clicked! She was speaking as much as she could in English. She volunteered to give answers. She even translated directions from English to Spanish for a fellow student (normally others in the class do this for her). I was so excited! Yet that's not where the blessings stop. One of the days when she was using as much language as she could, the rest of the class started cheering her on. They were clapping and encouraging her in both English and Spanish. It made me so happy. The community among the students in my ESL classroom is strong, and I'm happy to be a part of it.
No matter how hard student teaching (or anything in life) gets I need to rejoice. God has a reason for it and I need to trust that He'll guide me through.
Lessons Learned this Week
Lessons Learned this Week
-Sometimes you just need to put the books a way and have a time to relate to your students.
-If you're helping a 7th grade boy study for math, make up raps...despite the fact that you'll look whiter than you already are (well those of you who are reading this that are white) it makes it fun.
-If you're helping a 7th grade boy study for math, make up raps...despite the fact that you'll look whiter than you already are (well those of you who are reading this that are white) it makes it fun.
Goals for Next Week
-Find more ways to differentiate
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Leader of the Pack
Tuesday night
8:59
Bedtime is drawing ever nearer.
Do you ever have one of those days where things keep moving but your mind is kind of slow? I definitely did today. Maybe it's lack of sleep, maybe it's because I taught almost every period, I'm not really sure.
I arrived at school this morning around 8:00am. Shuffling into the pint sized office that I share with two other teachers, I started unpacking for the long day ahead of me. Being that my teacher had the pleasure of proctoring the ELDA (English Language Development Assessment), I was given the opportunity to play substitute :D. I was a little nervous, but mostly mutual. I hadn't had the chance to teach so much in one day. On the bright side, leading an ESL class is sometimes like leading a tutoring session. There's a small amount of students; the perfect opportunity for a lot more one-on-one time. Pretty much a teacher's dream.
Overall the day went well though, quite the confidence booster in all honesty. It was a nice rehearsal for my week of full time teacher that in inching its way closer. Tomorrow and the next day will be similar, I'll take the practice while I can though.
But no matter how tired I was or ever will be, I need to keep in mind that teaching is about the students not the dark circles forming under my eyes. If God can sacrifice His only son in order to save all of humanity, I can teach 9 periods of class to the best of my ability.
My supervisor is coming observe tomorrow, I'm ready though.
He's pretty chill.
Tuesday Night
9:21
Eyes...about...to...ZZzzzZZzzzz
Sorry this blog was dull...I'll try to make it more interesting on Friday.
Lessons Learned Today
-Keep a sense of humor.
-It's important to stay positive about a lesson, even if you're tired and not into it.
Goals for this Week
-Go to bed earlier.
-Teach super awesomely.
8:59
Bedtime is drawing ever nearer.
Do you ever have one of those days where things keep moving but your mind is kind of slow? I definitely did today. Maybe it's lack of sleep, maybe it's because I taught almost every period, I'm not really sure.
I arrived at school this morning around 8:00am. Shuffling into the pint sized office that I share with two other teachers, I started unpacking for the long day ahead of me. Being that my teacher had the pleasure of proctoring the ELDA (English Language Development Assessment), I was given the opportunity to play substitute :D. I was a little nervous, but mostly mutual. I hadn't had the chance to teach so much in one day. On the bright side, leading an ESL class is sometimes like leading a tutoring session. There's a small amount of students; the perfect opportunity for a lot more one-on-one time. Pretty much a teacher's dream.
Overall the day went well though, quite the confidence booster in all honesty. It was a nice rehearsal for my week of full time teacher that in inching its way closer. Tomorrow and the next day will be similar, I'll take the practice while I can though.
But no matter how tired I was or ever will be, I need to keep in mind that teaching is about the students not the dark circles forming under my eyes. If God can sacrifice His only son in order to save all of humanity, I can teach 9 periods of class to the best of my ability.
My supervisor is coming observe tomorrow, I'm ready though.
He's pretty chill.
Tuesday Night
9:21
Eyes...about...to...ZZzzzZZzzzz
Sorry this blog was dull...I'll try to make it more interesting on Friday.
Lessons Learned Today
-Keep a sense of humor.
-It's important to stay positive about a lesson, even if you're tired and not into it.
Goals for this Week
-Go to bed earlier.
-Teach super awesomely.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Flexibility
I am a person of habit. I don't always like to admit it, but I am. Sometimes I'll even subconsciously repeat certain ways of how to do things just because I'm comfortable with it. After all, if it isn't broke don't fix it...right? Wrong!
Throughout my student teaching career so far, I've learned that many times things won't go as planned. I've experienced people showing up late for important appointments, students forgetting crucial assignments, and the like. However, today I was given the chance to really practice thinking on my feet (I always though this was kind of a silly phrase, no one has brains on their feet...). I walked in this morning and CT was sitting at her desk, in a bit of a tizzy. (One thing you should know about CT is that she is not only the ESL teacher but the school translator as well.) She told me that she had to translate for parent teacher conferences today from 10:00-11:30am, which meant I would be teaching in her place. My heart start pumping a bit because the most I had taught these students was one lesson. I took it as a positive challenge though, I need to start teaching more anyways, so why not jump in head first? It's not like I hadn't worked with the kids before, and they were all familiar with me. CT gave me the run down for the three periods I would be teaching and then she was off.
Second period there was only one student, so it sailed right on by. Third started out as a little bit more of a challenge. One of the students kind of has an attitude sometimes, but once we got working they all were pretty well engaged. I think it helped that I asked them a lot of questions about traditions in their home country of Mexico. It was nice to be able to relate to my students in this way. Once fourth came though, things got a little bit more interesting.
The lesson itself went fine. We reviewed their homework and I had them play a game where they practice giving each other commands in English. They seemed to enjoy it. After all, how many times are you told to tell someone else to do something? (Whoa, a command to give commands...it's almost like Inception...but not). As we were working, a loud click sounded and all the lights out in the library went off (our classroom is located in small room in the library). One of my students gave out a quick "What the heck!" in broken English. Our lights were fine so we continued to work, but not for long. Soon we were in the dark as well. CT came back from translating and told us that school would be let out for the afternoon due to the loss of power. We were all little excited to say the least.
Apparently what happened was there was someone burning a chain-link fence and the flames made their way up a pole to one of our power lines. So our fuses went ka-put.
I can't complain though, it's nice to have the afternoon off :).
Tomorrow should be an easy day too. We're having shortened classes due to the middle school and high school dodge ball tournaments. Apparently it's a really big deal to the students, they make teams for it and everything! There's nothing like watching 100+ students pelt each other with foam spheres to get the weekend going ;).
If anything else blog worthy comes up (like a tornado, flash flood, or zombie attack) I'll be sure to write.
Until next week.
Lessons Learned this Week
-Don't ever expect things to go as planned, especially as an ESL teacher.
-Even if there is a language barrier, try to talk and relate to your students.
Goals for Next Week
-Teach more lessons.
-Find different ways to keep everyone engaged in the lessons.
Throughout my student teaching career so far, I've learned that many times things won't go as planned. I've experienced people showing up late for important appointments, students forgetting crucial assignments, and the like. However, today I was given the chance to really practice thinking on my feet (I always though this was kind of a silly phrase, no one has brains on their feet...). I walked in this morning and CT was sitting at her desk, in a bit of a tizzy. (One thing you should know about CT is that she is not only the ESL teacher but the school translator as well.) She told me that she had to translate for parent teacher conferences today from 10:00-11:30am, which meant I would be teaching in her place. My heart start pumping a bit because the most I had taught these students was one lesson. I took it as a positive challenge though, I need to start teaching more anyways, so why not jump in head first? It's not like I hadn't worked with the kids before, and they were all familiar with me. CT gave me the run down for the three periods I would be teaching and then she was off.
Second period there was only one student, so it sailed right on by. Third started out as a little bit more of a challenge. One of the students kind of has an attitude sometimes, but once we got working they all were pretty well engaged. I think it helped that I asked them a lot of questions about traditions in their home country of Mexico. It was nice to be able to relate to my students in this way. Once fourth came though, things got a little bit more interesting.
The lesson itself went fine. We reviewed their homework and I had them play a game where they practice giving each other commands in English. They seemed to enjoy it. After all, how many times are you told to tell someone else to do something? (Whoa, a command to give commands...it's almost like Inception...but not). As we were working, a loud click sounded and all the lights out in the library went off (our classroom is located in small room in the library). One of my students gave out a quick "What the heck!" in broken English. Our lights were fine so we continued to work, but not for long. Soon we were in the dark as well. CT came back from translating and told us that school would be let out for the afternoon due to the loss of power. We were all little excited to say the least.
Apparently what happened was there was someone burning a chain-link fence and the flames made their way up a pole to one of our power lines. So our fuses went ka-put.
I can't complain though, it's nice to have the afternoon off :).
Tomorrow should be an easy day too. We're having shortened classes due to the middle school and high school dodge ball tournaments. Apparently it's a really big deal to the students, they make teams for it and everything! There's nothing like watching 100+ students pelt each other with foam spheres to get the weekend going ;).
If anything else blog worthy comes up (like a tornado, flash flood, or zombie attack) I'll be sure to write.
Until next week.
Lessons Learned this Week
-Don't ever expect things to go as planned, especially as an ESL teacher.
-Even if there is a language barrier, try to talk and relate to your students.
Goals for Next Week
-Teach more lessons.
-Find different ways to keep everyone engaged in the lessons.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)