I just met with my advisor for student teaching, and let me just say I am so pumped to start student teaching in less than 2 weeks! Ahh... It's like I have been dipping my feet in the baby pool for four years. And now I am going to jump off the diving board, head first, into teaching. I am nervous but so excited.
I have wanted to be a teacher for... uh... I don't know forever. When I was in elementary school I had a chalk board I would put in my window, and I played "teacher" for YEARS! And now my dream is becoming a reality. Cool, huh? Yeah, I think so.
Anyways, as I was meeting with my advisor we were just chatting about all the different kinds of kids I will be encountering over the next few months. (keep in mind, I will be in the middle school) Let's see, there is the "snapping turtle". Those sweet children who just SNAP, and shut themselves off... and you have to let them, knowing they will come back to ya. A little frightening. And then of course we have the "lava lamps". Those crazy kids bouncing off the walls incessantly, wreaking havoc in the classroom. Oh Joy. We also have the "cotton ball" kids. The quiet, not sure there is anything up there, students who just walk through the motions with you. Knock knock. Anyone up there?
Well as I was sitting there talking to Nancy, I was reminded that we all have stories. Every person has a story. And it is not finished. We put these labels on kids (clearly I am guilty of doing so), without knowing their story. And then we adjust our expectations to fit them... but shouldn't we raise the bar? And get beyond the labels. I am training myself now to see my students with fresh eyes and with an understanding heart of their story. The beauty of it is that I get to be a tiny part of their story- and who knows, it could be a defining part of their story. Not that I am great, but the One who lives in me is great. So Yes. I am optimistic, and perhaps a teensy bit naive. But at this moment, right now, I know that I am walking into what I was designed for.
So what's your story?
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Katie - I love this. I had no idea you decided to start blogging!! I can't wait to see what happens through your student teaching. You are going to LOVE every minute of it, of course, because you are already excited about it. Apparently the meeting went well. I am glad, because I have been in the position of nervousness before the whole thing begins. Anyway, how exciting - Katie Jacobs blogging. And I love the color choice, you know that though. Also the name choice - perfect. Okay, so I'll be checking this thing again soon. Haha. Love you lady, for real, you're my best friend.
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