All my life I have been told to never take my life for granted because time flies right before your eyes. I do not think I truly thought about and understood that until now. After 3 and a half years of descriptive lesson plans, elementary school observations, informative powerpoint projects, 3 difficult state tests, countless essays, memorable studies abroad, and numerous classes, I am now BEGINNING my LAST semester of my bachelors college degree before I graduate in May as an Elementary Education Major with a specification in Pre Primary! WOW, that was a long sentence!
Freshmen year, Sophomore year, and even Junior year, Student Teaching seemed so far away. I never thought I would have to worry about it and now here I am! Tomorrow is going to be my first day as a Student Teacher. Classmates have come and gone in the Elementary Education major. Some by choice, others by simply not making the academic requirements or not passing the state tests. In addition to me, there are 6 others who will be starting their Student Teaching tomorrow as well.
I am excited and I am nervous!! Tomorrow is the most important day of Student Teaching because it will be my first impression. I need to be professional, likable and attentive. I need to go out of my way to say HI and introduce myself to everyone, not just my cooperating teacher. I want to stand out to the faculty and staff and make a great first impression on the first day! That is what everyone will remember. The first impression.
I have my First Day Of School outfit all picked out for tomorrow! Too bad I do not have my Mom there to take a picture of me like she did on all my other first days of school. However, I plan on calling her and Dad as soon as tomorrow ends so I can tell them what I wore and all the details of my day! I am so appreciative of my parents! No daughter ever had a better Mom or Dad, I swear! They gave me $$ so I could buy myself some nice "teacher" outfits. They sent me to this amazing University. They encouraged me to travel. They have gone out of their way to make sure I am granted every opportunity and that I succeed. They visit me often, and I am always welcomed back home in good old Hagerstown MD for a visit! We call each-other and face time on the I-Pad. I truly feel like I have gotten closer to them since I have been in college and I hope they know how much I love them and appreciate them for everything they have done for me and for just being my parents.
Besides my parents, I would have to say that Tyler is the other most important thing in my life. We started dating on my Summer Semester At Sea 2011 Study Abroad and we have been together ever since! He listens to me and encourages me in everything I do. He looks over my work if I ask him to and he calms me down when I get too stressed out. He makes me a better person, and he is so excited for me to start my Student Teaching! I feel so much more relaxed knowing that I have him to come home to every day after Student Teaching. Right now he is cooking me fish and veggies for dinner before my big day tomorrow! :)
The reason why I am bringing up the important people in my life is because I think I am going to have many good days and (hopefully few) bad days during my Student Teaching experience and they will be mentioned in my future blogs. I am an independent person, and this Student Teaching experience will be MY achievement. However, it will be very nice knowing that I have my parents and Tyler to talk to when I get home every day. I know they will rejoice with me in my achievements, listen to my stories, give advice, and encourage me on my bad days. With all that said... BRING ON STUDENT TEACHING!
A very wise high-school math teacher once said "The difference between GOOD and GREAT is attention to detail". I intend to pay very close attention to detail in the days ahead!
