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.
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