I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S ALMOST OVER!!!

i cannot believe that sixteen weeks ago i was thinking already, "i can't wait for this semester to be over!" and now it's about to finally end and i am so excited!!! i knew this semester was going to be a stressful one, considering all the work that involved so much time and also the unclarity of many things!!! i am really just happy to say that i made it through another semester successfully and i am happy to have made it with some great friends that i have made over the year (jennifer, cindy, robin, steve, sheena...just to name a few, hehe!!) all of us have worked so hard, and so i know we're going to really appreciate the break!!! most importantly i just wanted to say to everyone that i hope they just have an awesome holiday season and a safe one and also an enjoyable break!!! until next time....

The Man With The Christmas Eyes

Tis the season and all that. Tis the season for stress! The end of the semester is always tough. All of the projects and exams and unit plans are enough to keep a wannabe teacher up until the wee hours of the mornin', but add to that mix full-time employment and there truly is no rest for the wicked. And that's not to mention all of the family obligations and such.

I have been sleep deprived for quite a while now, so much so that my green eyes are almost aways surrounded by red--very Christmasy, huh? We'll I'm hanging on by my nails, and gritting my teeth--praying I can get it all done in the next half of a week. I know you all are likely feeling the same way.

From the man with the Christmas eyes--I just want wish each and every one of you a glorious Happy Holidays--whatever religion you may be. And if I don't see you next semester, since the majority of my time will be at Beechwood, I want to wish you the best of luck in the future! Please keep me updated on how you are doing, you'll find contact info on my website if you need it: www.gsdavisphotography.com

Again, Happy Holidays and congratulations on another semester.
GREG

Finsihed....

I think I've said enough this semester on my practicum experiences and I stand behind my blog from last week...I have nothing left to say. I can't wait til next wednesday when all my finals are over and I can finally sleep in again and my life will settle down quite a bit. I want to wish everyone a good week and finish strong...there's only a few days left!!!! Have a good break, a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and I'll see everyone next year.

P.S. - Don't forget to take some time for yourself, family, and friends (especially over the rbeak)...THOSE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE...school is just school; a job is just a job.

It's never as easy as it looks!

I have been so nice and patient with this student, knowing she has issues at home. Last thursday in practicum I had her snidely say, "Look who has a staring problem". She said that to my face. I about lost it. I was like, "I work too hard for some snot nosed punk...". Then in my head I remained calm and decided against going off on her, and my teacher took her to the principal. She has been a problem all year and it's so ridiculus. I would've been beat by my parents if I would've said that. I never would of dreamed of saying that. What do you do with out of control kids? I can not ground her, I can't send her to bed without dinner, I can not use corporal punishment, detention is not a deterrent, suspension is a reward for her, the principal is a joke for her...

Anyway, I am doing a review game tomorrow for my students. It took me forever to plan it out. I never realized how much behind the scenes work went into preparing students to take a test. I thought those would be the easy days for teachers, to just spout questions off and prepare a study guide for the kids. But its actually pretty involved...And I'm nervous about teaching it tomorrow. I had trouble naming my objective to cover in the lesson. And I'm really not teaching them anything, I'm reviewing information already taught. Trying to make a KTIP lesson for that is a challenge in itself. Now my main concern is classroom management. When I was a student I loved those days because we could get outta control. I hope these students don't, but for all I put teachers through I'd probably deserve it!

It's Almost Over!

Wow I cannot believe that the semester is now coming to an end. This semester has been one filled with lots of interesting happenings in practicum and many other things happening throughout the semester. Now that I am about to begin my journey in being a teacher there are a few things I am thankful that I have learned through my practicum experiences. I hope to even learn more during Student teaching before I start a new chapter of my life. I have learned that I want to be a teacher that is one where the students understand when it is time to work and when the time is to have a little bit of fun. I hope that I am able to make all my lessons meaningful and engaging. I want the students to have while learning. I want to my classroom to be one that is full of joy and also I want it to be a comfort place for students when they enter the classroom.
I also just wanted to tell everyone Good Luck with their future endeavors. Have a Happy Holiday!

disturbing...

last week on thursday at my practicum school, the students were given the opportunity to buy snow cones for a dollar and popcorn for fifty cents. noticing in my class, that the 6 students with iep's didn't get neither a snow cone or a popcorn i became disturbed. i don't care if it had been a student without an iep, my point is that i believe in that if one student gets it then all of them should get it!! this was not any type of reward, it was just some type of thing to get money. being the person that i am and what i believe in, i got to my car searching for change and buy what i can. i ended up splitting the snow cones and popcorn between the six and they were so excited. also what was also disturbing was that the teachers got their snow cones and popcorn for free!! how can any adult enjoy something while a child is not able to enjoy it! i guess it's just how i was raised!! i know my mother always put us first or in any case any child first before herself and that's exactly how i feel. i didn't even have the desire to eat my snow cone or popcorn because i wanted to make sure that every child got to have some, so i gave mine away. one of the teachers selling these items asked me what was going on and i expressed to her how i felt and she went completely blank and another whispered to me that she agreed with me!! i don't know, maybe it's just me, but i was very disturbed by this situation!!

SOS

I try to be optimistic, not cynical. But this semester has made me pretty cynical. When I gave this some deeper thought I realized I am unhappy with this. I could not be more privilieged to have an education, a great family, good friends, and a boyfriend I love. But this as a career? I don't know anymore. It's hard when your so sure starting out. You have a purpose, you love it, and you don't mind the work because it's work you enjoy. But given deeper thought you realize your miserable.

Now, I feel so burdened. I agree with Steve. I am tired to hearing one thing and then in another class hearing the oppoisite. I have to keep the professor's wants separate and I have to make them happy. Then they tell us not to assign busy work, and yet that's all we get. I can think of one class where I feel like the work is practical. That means 1/7 of my work week is worth my time and money. The rest is overboard. And the teachers meetings - and Steve and Robin know what I'm talking about. Am I going to be happy here? And if the answer is No, then what? I feel stuck. The time and money invested, I feel like I have to keep going with this. Maybe the happiness will return and the cynicism will subside but I'm not so sure anymore.