I'm obviously mature.
Don't get me wrong, I am one of the most responsible people I know. I had the option of going with boyfriend tonight to his friend's house to watch them play music and be social. I didn't know what time we would be home, so I opted out in order to get to bed on time. Having your own classroom is a huge and scary responsibility.
Since I will be 26 in December, I decided I should probably get my credential so that I can be a real grown up with a real salary some day.
Once again, obviously mature.
Today, I embarked on the journey to become a teacher. We had our "base camp" today where we had an overview of the course and got to meet our mentor teachers. We have 3 placements, 12 weeks each during the course of the year. We are having a little snafu with where my first placement will be and I am having a miniature freak out since I am supposed to be there on Monday. But my other two mentor teachers seem incredibly nice. My favorite part of the day was the free Mexican food they fed us for lunch.
It was all local meat and vegetables. I love my town so much. The fact that this is really happening hasn't really hit me. Apparently we start applying for jobs in January. To say I am terrified is an understatement. I just have to believe in myself. I am a firm believer in positive energy. If we think we can do it, we can do it.
It is exactly the same situation as running. When times get hard, just keep pushing through and telling yourself you can do it. I have a lot of self doubt, but I always make it through my hard runs with positive thinking, so I know I can make it through this hard program the same way. I also know I will make a great teacher. I've already seen enormous growth in the students that I have taught. I just have to trust in myself. We all need to trust in ourselves.
I taught one of my students addition with carrying. So that's something.
Teaching is a huge, scary grown up job, but I can't imagine doing anything else with my life. The reward of seeing a student's face light up when you enter the room and knowing that you have been a positive influence on them in some way is better than gift anyone would give me. Time for me to be a grown up.
What's your job?
Do you love it?
I grew up always wanting to be a teacher. Somehow I ended up going to cosmetology school. I loved it but I was too insecure with myself to stay at a job longer than 5 months. I felt I wasn't good enough. Now I work at a gym and I love it. Being around healthy positive people is what I need and I have the opportunity to become an instructor and do what I love... Run... for money!
ReplyDeleteMy old roommate/good friend always wanted to be a teacher as well, but she ended up at cosmetology school and she LOVES it. She is really amazing at it as well. I really admire people who can do cosmetology because I would be so terrible at it. If I wasn't going to be a teacher, I would definitely work at a gym. I have even thought about getting my personal trainer certificate at some point.
Deleteit's crazy how we are living pretty parallel lives-im turning 26 this year too and put off getting my license for a year and half. i start my student teaching this fall and am finally ready and prepared to have my own class!
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome! When do you start? What credential are you getting? I wish you the best of luck! You will do amazing.
DeleteI teach, as you know. I love my job, but it's also weird because it's so stressful and I find myself often wishing for a day off or something. But at the same time, I don't know what I'd rather do! The rewarding moments are just so crazily worth it!
ReplyDeleteI know. I find myself wishing for Thanksgiving break, winter break, ect., but then I get so bored and miss the students and wonder what the heck I would do if I did anything else! The rewarding moments really are so worth it.
DeleteI think it's completely fantastic that you get 36 weeks of practicum time! Seriously, that will help a ton. I got two semesters of twice-a-week-for-an-hour practicum, and then one semester student teaching, and felt really unprepared. You will be fantastic! Just remember that although there will be days that as soon as the last student leaves, you'll be searching monster.com for a new career...those days will pass, and they will be outnumbered by the rewarding, enjoyable days when you really get to know your kids and make a difference for them...and they for you.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I can't even imagine only have 2 times a week in the classroom! I am scared as it is that we only get a year of practice before we are released into the big kid world on our own! One of the things I love the most about teaching is how supportive we are of our own, so I am sure I will have lots of help my first year.
DeleteCalifornia is awesome!
ReplyDeleteIn NYS, for undergrad (Bachelor's degree - don't know if this is the same in CA) you have 6 weeks in one placement and then another 6 weeks in a different placement. Then you graduate!
It is the same for your Master's (grad school) - 6 weeks in one location!
I wish we did a whole year, I feel like I would have been more prepared and confident in some of my teaching interviews!
I'm so excited for you and can't wait to hear about your teaching!
You will be amazing teacher!
You are so dedicated!
Keep being awesome!!!
Holy cow! ONLY 6 weeks??? California has one of the toughest credential programs in the nation which is why it's really easy for us to get jobs in other states and really hard for people from other states to get jobs here. Interviews are what scare me the most. I feel so underprepared. You will find the right job for you at the right time!
Delete