Last Day of Student Teaching...

Today was a happy and sad day all at once. I can't believe that my student teaching is over. These kids have been such a blessing to me. They have made me laugh and today they made me cry. I spent most of my day observing in other classes, but I came back to the classroom at 1:30 for a big surprise. The kids had this cake for me, and they had all given me cards. Some of the messages in them brought me to tears. I didn't realize how much these kids loved me until today. You never know whose life you will impact in a short time. I wrote thank you letters to my mentor teacher, the fourth grade teaching team, and the principal. I also wrote the class a letter and included a special memory about each student. When I finished reading the letter, I looked up to see two of the students crying. It was so hard to hold it together after that. My mentor also gave me a basket full of teacher goodies, and a wonderful card. Where has the time gone?

You have a momma????

Since it is my last week student teaching, I have been visiting and observing other classes besides 4th grade. Yesterday I visited Kindergarten. The kids were really sweet. I got lots of hugs, I love you's, and are you coming back tomorrows. I know that I don't want to teach kindergarten because they have boundless energy, but one funny story was worth sharing. The teacher asked me to keep an eye on the students when she went outside. She told me that her mother had brought her lunch, and that she was waiting for her in the parking lot. I said I wouldn 't mind at all, and all of the sudden one of the little girls asked her, with a very shocked expression, You have a momma? It was so hard not to laugh. I proceeded to tell her that everyone has a mother, and she looked at me and asked, even you? It was hilarious. Little kids seem to think that their teachers aren't just like them. The scientific term is called reversibility. Another teacher even told me that a kindergarten student was shocked to find out that she didn't live at the school. Kids say some funny things.

A Wonderful Visit...

My sister-in-law Amy and her boys Kaden and Karson have been here visiting us since Tuesday. They left today, and it was a little sad. Karson was really attached to me this time, and it was really special. Kaden is growing up so fast, and is full of energy and fun. I always enjoy having time with Amy. We always stay up way to late talking. I am so glad that they are coming back in a couple of weeks. I don't get to see them often enough.

Going It Alone...

Today my mentor teacher was required to just let me run the class in her absence. The class did alright behavior wise, they were just getting on each others nerves. All day long it was, he won't leave me alone, or stay out of my business, or Mrs. Elam they are talking about me. It drove me crazy. They were also really talkative. This was probably due to the fact that they get a three day weekend for Easter. They were excited and anxious for the day to be over. I think for the most part that we had an okay day today. I can't believe that I only have two weeks left with them.

Where is little froggie?

This ugly little creature is an African Dwarf Frog, and we have little tanks of them in the classroom right now. The interesting thing is that when the frogs came in we had some pretty big ones. What we didn't know was that they eat each other. Last Friday during the reading quiz, one of the students brought to our attention that one of the big frogs in their tank had their little frog's legs in it's mouth. My mentor went over and pried the little frog out with a plastic spoon. Unfortunately, when we came in on Monday morning, three of the groups big frogs had eaten the little ones. Poor little froggies. This is something that has never happened before. I guess there is a first time for everything.

Out of Gas...

This morning on my way to school I ran out of gas. I started to feel the car making jerking motions like it was struggling to stay moving. All of the sudden my car just died. Fortunately I was able to get out of the way of traffic. My fuel gage goes up and down sometimes, and it makes it hard to know whether you really need gas or if you can go an extra mile or two. I was sure I could make it to school and back with no problem. Nope! I called Thomas and he came to rescue me. Unfortunately this made me really late for school. Lesson, don't ignore your fuel gage. Fill up before you get stranded. Ha Ha!

Mesquite ISD Job Fair...

Today I went to the Mesquite ISD job fair, and had a really positive experience. There were so many people there that recognized me from substitute teaching. I got to have some really long conversations with a few principals (which at a job fair is a really good thing). They all asked me where I was doing my student teaching, and who my mentor teacher was. When I told them they all knew who she was. Doors can really be opened to you when you have a good mentor. I think that the day was really productive, and now the praying really becomes fervent. I want to be at the school that God wants me to be at. So I am asking that you guys who read my blogs keep me in your prayers as well. Everything will work out great, I have faith!

Burried in Homework...

Lately I have had so much homework that there has been time for little else. I am so tired, and ready for the semester to be over. There is about a month left of the class that I take on Monday nights. I have stages of child development, Paiget, Erikson, Morrison, and Kohlburg coming out of my ears! These are all of the psychologists whose theories are top notch on child development as it relates to education. I will be so grateful for a break!