Changes

Week three has come and gone, and I feel like I've been in the classroom for years. The kids are so great, and I miss them dearly because I had to be absent Thursday and Friday due to some sick kids of my own. I am just grateful that at this point, I didn't have to have lesson plans written for my mentor teacher to teach. When I begin to teach full-time, and something prevents me from showing up, I will have to have lesson plans ready for her for every subject as if I were planning for a substitute. Good practice, I know. But terrifying! So this week was a freebie and I didn't have to worry about that. Whew!

My boys are recovering quickly, but they have passed it along to me. I tried really hard to avoid getting sick, but when you live in close quarters and love on your kiddos, it's nearly impossible. Solomon is also cutting not one but TWO teeth! I cannot believe it! He had his six month check up and weighs nearly 18 pounds. I just couldn't remember that Nefty was that chubby, but he was. I think the thing that makes the difference is that Solomon (even though he looks longer to me) is 2 inches shorter than Nefty was at this stage. That explains the serious chub! He also tasted so infant cereal for the first time. He is so interested in food, but wasn't sure about the cereal. Of course, cereal is way different from a steak! But he's moving right along and growing like a weed. There are still moments when I cannot believe that I am the mother of two boys. I have children! Not a child, but children! Wow....

...and I'm feeling it. My 30th birthday is right around the corner. I sure hope my hubby is planning something sweet for the big day. I wanted to go to our ladies retreat with church at the Oregon coast - an absolutely beautiful place has been reserved and it would be amazing. But he won't let me go, since this is the first birthday in several years that he's not at a soccer game or hunting. So I have high expectations. We'll see how he does! :o)

Week 2

Well, I began teaching my work sample last Monday. Day one was pretty messy, because I had packed too much into the pre-assessment lesson. But though things got off to a rough start, Tuesday was a new day. I was able to adjust and modify the sequential lessons, and things smoothed out for the rest of the week. I am learning that time management and flexibility within a lesson plan is ESSENTIAL for a successful day. I feel like I am slowly getting a grasp on these two things, as well as the every-important classroom management techniques. I am definitely beginning to gather my thoughts as to what techniques and educational elements I think I'll try when I have my own classroom. I will continue my work sample this week, as well as pick up a writing activity as part of the literature component of the curriculum. I love being with the kids, and I am so grateful that my mentor trusts me with them. My time with the students of room 7 is going to go all too quickly! Next thing I know, I'll have a class of my own!

One week down...only 14 to go!

Wow. What an incredible first three days of school. I can't believe how well things went. I feel so excited and ready to jump right in to teaching - which is a good thing since I start my geometry work sample on Monday! I will spend the next two days putting the finishing touches on the introductory lessons. I am encouraged because I have already received good, positive feedback from my mentor. She let me teach an activity already - and it took 3 days (instead of the the 1 that I had sort of had in my mind). If there's one thing I'm learning quickly, it's that you really don't know how long an activity is going to take students until you do it (or unless you have many years of experience under your belt). I am thrilled that once the students and I got over a few hurdles together, they got into the activity and did a wonderful job. And guess what? After only three days, I have already received three drawings for "Senora Menendez"! I love my kids and I'm looking very much forward to planning more each day. By the end of the month I'll be teaching full time, and then phasing back out so that I am finished in Annie's classroom by the end of November.

I am really missing my babies while I'm away. But I know they're in good hands. And I'm still trying to figure out the childcare arrangement for the next several months. Right now, my hubby's cousin is watching them. But she goes back to school the last week of September. Their 'grandma' Elena can watch them 3 days a week (what a blessing she is!) but I still need someone to watch them for the other 2 days. What to do? I have been so fortunate to not have to send them to daycare, and the thought of it pains me. But I guess if it's only a couple days a week, it won't be so bad. It will be so much easier once they're school age! Then I could see them at school! Maybe...

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!