The past 6 1/2 weeks have been an amazing journey. There have been many great days and there have also been days that I went home exhausted, beaten, battered, and bruised. (And they say that teaching is not a hard job). These are the days that either test our patients and our poise or give us great satisfaction at the thought of a child being successful in the classroom. The students come first and although they may not fully understand our methods for certain things, if you set it up correctly, they'll always respect the fact that you are trying to help them become more knowledgeable individuals.
I've been told that teachers get three added "sick" days for each pay period or every two weeks. I could sure use one of those right about now. My body has been battling allergies everyday for the past three weeks and a good days rest would feel incredible. Although these are the thoughts going through my head in the morning, I still manage to find the will-power to get out of bed and to get my day started. Every time I do, I'm very glad that I didn't give up the several teaching and learning opportunities I get everyday at my school.
(My school....I like the sound of that!)
When I really think about it, time is flying by. I only have a few more uncompleted tasks that will more than likely be completed within the next couple of weeks. At that point I will seemingly be counting down the days until graduation. Learning what I can in the process of planning for my future. It is a sad thought that I will have to leave my third set of students. It's like I'm just finally really getting to know them and before I know it, I will have moved on and they will be middle schoolers. These are just the thoughts running through my head here at the halfway point.
You are really more than half-way since you will be teaching full time next week. You are ready and you have a lot to celebrate. I have never said that teaching is easy. It is such a complex job. You play so many roles simultaneously and it is almost impossible not to take your work and worries about your students home with you.
ReplyDeleteYou can take a sick day if you need it. The difference with student teaching is that you have to make up days you take off but we don't want you to go to school sick.
I think you will remember this class. They are the first class that you taught full time, a special group of young people who you know and care about.
Watching the students go on to other things is one of the most heart-rending and hopeful parts of the job. They will remember you, too!
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