One Week Down!

One week down and I've already gone through some highs and lows. If there's one thing that's certain about this career it's the uncertainty of every single day and that takes some getting used to. At first, the realization that planning really is everything and knowing my schedule fully will never be the case threw me on my head. Monday night was... rough? Let's just say I was thankful that the tavern was open!

By Tuesday I took a deep breath, spent some time venting, thinking and, most importantly, praying I was able to calm my mind. From that point on I've been able to forge ahead and use my training and knowledge to develop a really strong lesson plan for the geography class I'm starting to teach next week. It's nothing too flashy but I think the week will go smoothly and I hope that I can change these kids' previous perceptions of geography.

Both of my teachers are so helpful and nurturing thus far. Any question I have is followed by a swift answer, no matter how small or silly. They're both also incredibly different which I LOVE!! I'm soaking up information left and right from their differing styles. I'm sure that by the end I'll be a combination of Kristen and Donna along with my own little touches I've learned and picked up along the way. Seeing all these teachers excites me to find my "teacher-self" if you will.

Along with Donna and Kristen the whole department is wonderful. I remember always loving the social studies office at Stevenson as a student and visitor because they were always fun, energetic and sarcastically funny. Everyone in there seemed to be themselves. It's no different at GCHS. I already feel at home surrounded by a perfect environment for my personality. I'm also starting to slowly peak out of my shell while trying to move away from the quiet new student teacher persona. I'm sure that each of these teachers will hold some influence on me as well and I can't wait to keep learning about their lives and careers. Working with Laura is also wonderful. We are getting along well and I have to say it's nice to not feel intimidated by my department chair. Becoming friends outside of the student/teacher realm is also great, same goes for Bolger, I really consider myself so lucky to go through this experience with both of them so close.

The other amazing part of this week was having students finally fill the hallways. I can only do so much planning without taking the time to meet my students and listen to their opinions on what education should look like. After all, this is THEIR education. Nearly every student I've met is polite and reasonably respectful taking into consideration their lethargic movements as they wave goodbye to summer.

At the end of the week I'm tired, energized, excited, and still a bit terrified at the amount of work and lack of sleep required of me this semester. That being said, if my semester continues to go with an overall positive overtone, I will continue to consider myself lucky that every single day I am privileged to get to know 150 amazing people while sharing stories of the world with them. Bring on week two!! But let me enjoy the weekend first :)

The Official End to Summer

That time is upon us once again where it finally has stopped snowing in Chicago and the school year is ready to begin. As a kid I remember always feeling so excited to go back to seeing my friends everyday without effort while filling with a sense of dread at the impending workload my classes were sure to bring. It's not much different as a student teacher.

While I'm not fully acclimated to Grayslake Central yet, I am blessed with a safety blanket of old teachers who have slowly evolved into friends, mentors and strangely peers. John and Laura (strange to call them by first names) have already taken me under their wings to welcome me into teaching and Grayslake as seamlessly as possible. Knowing that they are familiar with my background and personality is a true comfort as I enter into this teaching internship and I couldn't ask for better mentors than the people who inspired me to enter into teaching.

My collaborating teachers are equally wonderful. Kristen is also a Stevenson alum which allows for some good reminiscing. I will be taking over two of her World History Honors classes along with a Geography course. Teaching Geography will begin as soon as school starts pretty much but I'll still have Kristen in the room to help me transition. Kristen and I are also team teaching a World History Regular course together though she'll do the prep work saving me another class prep. Donna is my other collaborating teacher and she's worked in Grayslake for a number of years along with several other high schools. I'll also be taking over Donna's World History Honors classes and I'm looking forward to watching her teach AP European History whenever I get the chance.

After two days of new staff orientation and from my meetings with Kristen, Donna, Laura and John throughout the summer I feel truly blessed to be working at Grayslake for my student teaching. So many people are afraid of not having enough support or not clicking with their cooperating teacher but I can honestly say I already feel like a member of the Grayslake family.

Emotion-wise I definitely bounce between excitement and anxiety with very little in-between but I'm confident that once I meet the kids and start standing in front of the classroom I'll lean more towards the excitement side of the scale. I have no doubt that this fall will lend itself to caffeine addiction, a few tears, many successes, many failures, sleepless nights and funny stories. I also have no doubt that I am in the best place to foster my success and that my University of Missouri education will act as a strong foundation. The toughest part may be taking the time to update this blog but if all goes well I'll come out in December with a degree, a teaching certificate and a record of my reflections on this little bit of history in the making.

Until next time.