From fear to love to the next big step.

Student teaching at first was scary.

However, I quickly learned to love it.

Although there were many days where I was tired,

I pushed through. I didn't let myself give-up; even in times of great stress.

And I have made it.

These next steps in my life are huge.

But it is only through Him that I can even stand; let alone walk.

Student teaching has opened me to personal change. Something that I have been turning my back to for some time now.

As this is my last post and I always include a picture... I want to make it symbolic...

It takes an emptying of ones self to allow his light in and fill you up. To get me to this point, there is nothing left but to fill me up and push me into the real world. The professional world. The teaching world.

Fill me up.

And its over.

In two days time,
Student Teaching will be over.
And what an experience it has been.

Overall, I've learned more than I thought.
I'm almost certain within the weeks following, as I start to settle down and process everything, there is much much much more that I will come to learn and realize.

It has been a blessing to be a part of such a wonderful group of student teachers. It has been an honor to be with the co-operating teachers that I was placed with. It has been an experience, with each student, that I will cherish. Even today I know I will find myself laughing at those experiences and reflecting back on how I've grown and changed.

Personally at this point in my life, as of very recently, I'm experiencing personal change and growth.
I have come to realize my age and position and have made it my mission to let God take control and mold me into what he has for me. Up until this point I've been resisting, but resist I shall not. I hope he uses me for wonderful things in the classroom and lets me touch every single heart that I encounter while doing so.

Cross out near and put here. :]

Smile!

As student teaching comes to an end... I feel almost relieved...
Not that I don't want to teach... but that I can finally relax...

My intentions next year are to enter the masters program and get a Masters in Special Education. I have learned this semester that Special Needs intrigues me. It has opened my brain a new realm of reality. I'm almost certain that this reality is where I am supposed to be. Where I will make my impact and my difference.

Although this blog post is short,
I now know the path that I want to take.
I know where I am supposed to be.
And I'm learning more each day about who I am supposed to be.

I found the following rather funny... as it shows just how far intellect can get you these days... in retrospect of-course.

Warning: Incoming Transmission.

1. WOO
2. COMMAND
3. ARRANGER
4. INDIVIDUALIZATION
5. INTELLECTION

So, these don't come to much of a surprise to me. I knew the WOO was going to show up. That is a given. Command and arranger, due to my residence life job, have come out of their shell and shown their colors when the team is needed. They also shine in the classroom when the situation calls for control. The last 2 however are the ones that interest me. I knew I was a thinker, but I've never utilized it as a strength. There is always a time and place to start this, and I believe now is it. And Individualization... I tend to analyze every student and figure out what works best for that individual. I didn't realize that it was a strength, but now I am learning otherwise. I'm almost certain in teaching this is going to be a key tool in my arsenal when it comes to differentiating instruction to tailor each students needs.

All for nothing, I loved taking this strength finder. It was definitely worth the time put into it.

And as always:

Chugga Chugga Chugga Chugga... CHOO CHOO!

Where to begin?

The things I have learned this semester alone... I almost feel like students should have to spend their first week in the education department in an Elementary Classroom. Just a welcome to Nyack, now take a look at what you're going to do.

For me, it has been an experience of a lifetime. It has made me realize the things that I want to do with my future and has put me into the process of getting there.

Student teaching in total, to this point, has been a blessing, It has shown me more about myself in the past few weeks then I have learned in the past year. It has been an experience that has motivated me to mold myself into a man of God that can be a light to my students. A man who is educated and full of wisdom, and shows compassion to each student.

There are times where I have to be strict, but also times where I have to learn to be myself in-front of the children. If they don't see me, they will know; I learned that one quickly. I have come to find that when teaching children, be yourself and be genuine. With this, your students will grow to like you. And with that comes respect when you are in-front of the classroom. Sadly, although I personally haven't tried, fear doesn't work (although it does seem much easier).

And with that all being said, I leave you with this picture:

Children

So I thought this was nearly hysterical when I first saw it. You may ask why and thus, I will tell you. Because children these days need directions from head to toe. Thinking has diminished and these days what one sees in a cartoon and reality aren't mentally separated. It was clearly just a reminder that our jobs are to inspire and open their minds to new ideas and allow our students the opportunity to process situations and think independently.

I do with it was 1994 thought and I was faking sick just to stay home and watch bugs bunny. Oh, how I miss those days... I think I have just figured out my summer plans.

SUCH A LONG SEMESTER

So this semester has felt endless. Each break has not been a break. The amount of work that I have to get done is rather intense. Student teaching has been personally difficult do to personal and family issues... to shed light on the issue both of my parents ended up in the hospital this semester. One for 4 days the other for almost 2 weeks. I spent several nights driving home and back and things have just been on the rough side. That alone drained me and with almost no breaks (since my breaks haven't been for myself...)... I'm just wiped both physically and mentally and need to recharge.

But, knowing that time is ending... I'm hoping to pass everything and keep my GPA at a 3.0... My online course has been such a flop that I'm almost embarrassed that Nyack College is offering it (sadly I won't go into more detail than that).

I also just learned why dinosaurs truly don't exist and this here is proof:

Bitter-sweet

Long mornings eventually lead into long days.

Today felt endless.

Even Rex offered me some counselling today:

Long story short; inclusive classrooms are at the point of failure. Although the classroom appeared to on occasion benefit Special Education students, the mainstreamed students appear to suffer. Because of this, the classroom is a difficult place. I'm also slowly realizing how much of a joke our education system it. The "No child left behind act" is a sorry excuse for a failing education system. If a student doesn't understand the content in a 5th grade classroom because they are at a 3rd grade reading level... Why are they going on to 6th grade next year?

These are just little frustrations that come to light when you are situated in the environment.

But at the end of the day all we can do is pick ourselves up and prepare for tomorrow.