Revelation

My classroom (well, not officially...)

My desk (Sra Annie and I will share)

The computer center

A better view of the computer center (notice the colorful bulletin boards in the background - I did those)

My mentor Annie. We will be a great team!

Oh my goodness. It's only been one week - without students - and I am already exhausted by all of the preparations that go into getting ready for the first day of school. It is such a reality check. Just like anything else, you can be an expert on something via book research, but until you actually begin to put it into practice, all of the research is not concrete. My mentor and I have been busily attending workshops on implementing new math standards, how to incorporate technology in the classroom, and creating an inviting and exciting class environment. We also sat down with my program supervisor to discuss what will be expected of me from the University in order to satisfy the student-teaching requirements. Basically, I will begin to take on one subject at a time until I have the entire day's schedule of subjects. I'll then teach full time for three weeks (maybe more) and then gradually give the subjects back to my mentor as I ease back from my teaching duties. I should be completed with my teaching time, including the works sample on geometry that I have created, by the end of November, a little faster than many of my colleagues. I will have another placement of 90 hours in December to satisfy the requirement for my ESOL endorsement, and then one final placement for three weeks in January. Then, I will have my masters degree and teaching certificate two weeks later! I am so proud to be the first in my family to have graduated college - the first to get a bachelors, let alone a masters. It has been a long, sometimes painful road. But what a feeling of satisfaction to look back and see that when I put my mind to something, I will accomplish it. There may be hurdles to jump over and obstacles to dodge, but if I stay strong and discipline myself, keeping diligent to complete each step one at a time, I WILL cross the finish line. God is so faithful!