I apologize in advance for being so behind on my blogging. Life has a way of getting busy and taking us by surprise. I for one, have been out of this world busy. I started Nannying in March, four days a week after school. The kids were terrible. I have never in my life worked with children who were so incredibly disrespectful. I tried to hold my head high and continue helping the family, as they had already been through 4 nannys this school year alone. But that was not quite enough. With the end of my first job (April 26th) I informed the family that I could no longer watch the kiddos after school. It was quite a relief.
On Friday (April 26) I ended my time as a Learning Support teacher at the middle school. It has been a trying 13-weeks, but I have learned so much about myself and teaching. I am eternally grateful for all of the ups and downs that accompanied it. I thought I would overview a few of the cool (and not so awesome) things that happened over the course of my time at school. I wrote 5 I.E.Ps, and I actually enjoyed it! I like being able to do something that involves and uses a routine. IEPs do that. It was a pleasure meeting with concerned parents and making sure that the students' had all of the tools they needed to be successful in high school. This last week, I coordinated a RESPECT week which helped bring awareness about Bullying, name-calling, and treating others with Respect. It was pretty cool, and a nice capstone to my time in middle school. Here is the Video I showed on Thursday : It is pretty awesome! http://blog.ted.com/2013/02/28/live-a-life-to-do-with-beauty-shane-koyczan-at-ted2013/
On Friday as well, I took my students to a local Nursing Home to read the poems we had composed outloud (April is National Poetry Month). At first, the kiddos were hesitant about hanging out with the 'old folks' but once we got there they did not want to leave! Many of them asked me if we could go back the following week to hang out. Unfortunately, that is up to their current teacher; but I am very happy that they have an interest in volunteering and spending time in the community! We ended my time there with a pizza party lunch accompanied by my infamous cookies. A few of the students snuck 3 or 4! I was glad they had a nice time. They all wrote me nice cards of appreciation. I was very blessed to have spent time there.
Of course there were lots of things I learned there too. Like some students' negative behaviors will not change overnight. No matter how spectacular of a teacher you are, things take time. changing routines takes patience and persistence. I hope the students learned from me and that they will remember that they are in control of their own learning. I have learned it is necessary to refer students for disciplinary problems when they occur. When you let them build up and deal with them "in-house" they become quite a nuisance and are extremely hard to change. Some days, there was just not enough patience in the world for my chatty, off-task students. I actually had to yell on a few occasions and that was rough for me! I am eternally grateful to all of the wonderful teachers, administration, staff, and paras that I had the opportunity to work with. I never would have made it without them.
Now I am already having to look for another job, working on my resume, sending out tons of applications, and subbing (already scheduled for 4 days this week alone!) In June, I will start nannying for two adorable twins and I look forward to spending my Summer out in the sun! I hope that whatever you are doing will bring you some type of joy, even if there are tears and frustration on the side. I will always look back on this experience with pride and humility that it helped to shape me as a person and a teacher. No matter what anyone else may say, I am proud to call myself a teacher.
In other news, a few weeks ago I was able to head back to Penn State for the first time since Graduation and spend time with my wonderful sorority (and alumni) and spend some time with my favorite 2-year old Heidi. It was so grate to be back and to be able to catch up with everyone! Dustin has moved into a new apartment, so we have spent lots of time packing, unpacking, and decorating. Kelly is set to graduate on June 7 which is CRAZY. I cannot believe my baby sister will soon be in college. Mom and Dad are great and keeping busy. We cleaned out the garage, everyone's closets, installed 2 ceiling fans, and build a new fence around the hot tub this weekend. Pretty productive! I am attempting to make some Meals-in-a-Crockpot Freezer bags for our family and my grandparents. Saturday, Ashley (my best friend) and I will head down to Orlando for a nice week of much needed relaxation, and I could not be happier! :)
On Friday (April 26) I ended my time as a Learning Support teacher at the middle school. It has been a trying 13-weeks, but I have learned so much about myself and teaching. I am eternally grateful for all of the ups and downs that accompanied it. I thought I would overview a few of the cool (and not so awesome) things that happened over the course of my time at school. I wrote 5 I.E.Ps, and I actually enjoyed it! I like being able to do something that involves and uses a routine. IEPs do that. It was a pleasure meeting with concerned parents and making sure that the students' had all of the tools they needed to be successful in high school. This last week, I coordinated a RESPECT week which helped bring awareness about Bullying, name-calling, and treating others with Respect. It was pretty cool, and a nice capstone to my time in middle school. Here is the Video I showed on Thursday : It is pretty awesome! http://blog.ted.com/2013/02/28/live-a-life-to-do-with-beauty-shane-koyczan-at-ted2013/
On Friday as well, I took my students to a local Nursing Home to read the poems we had composed outloud (April is National Poetry Month). At first, the kiddos were hesitant about hanging out with the 'old folks' but once we got there they did not want to leave! Many of them asked me if we could go back the following week to hang out. Unfortunately, that is up to their current teacher; but I am very happy that they have an interest in volunteering and spending time in the community! We ended my time there with a pizza party lunch accompanied by my infamous cookies. A few of the students snuck 3 or 4! I was glad they had a nice time. They all wrote me nice cards of appreciation. I was very blessed to have spent time there.
Of course there were lots of things I learned there too. Like some students' negative behaviors will not change overnight. No matter how spectacular of a teacher you are, things take time. changing routines takes patience and persistence. I hope the students learned from me and that they will remember that they are in control of their own learning. I have learned it is necessary to refer students for disciplinary problems when they occur. When you let them build up and deal with them "in-house" they become quite a nuisance and are extremely hard to change. Some days, there was just not enough patience in the world for my chatty, off-task students. I actually had to yell on a few occasions and that was rough for me! I am eternally grateful to all of the wonderful teachers, administration, staff, and paras that I had the opportunity to work with. I never would have made it without them.
Now I am already having to look for another job, working on my resume, sending out tons of applications, and subbing (already scheduled for 4 days this week alone!) In June, I will start nannying for two adorable twins and I look forward to spending my Summer out in the sun! I hope that whatever you are doing will bring you some type of joy, even if there are tears and frustration on the side. I will always look back on this experience with pride and humility that it helped to shape me as a person and a teacher. No matter what anyone else may say, I am proud to call myself a teacher.
In other news, a few weeks ago I was able to head back to Penn State for the first time since Graduation and spend time with my wonderful sorority (and alumni) and spend some time with my favorite 2-year old Heidi. It was so grate to be back and to be able to catch up with everyone! Dustin has moved into a new apartment, so we have spent lots of time packing, unpacking, and decorating. Kelly is set to graduate on June 7 which is CRAZY. I cannot believe my baby sister will soon be in college. Mom and Dad are great and keeping busy. We cleaned out the garage, everyone's closets, installed 2 ceiling fans, and build a new fence around the hot tub this weekend. Pretty productive! I am attempting to make some Meals-in-a-Crockpot Freezer bags for our family and my grandparents. Saturday, Ashley (my best friend) and I will head down to Orlando for a nice week of much needed relaxation, and I could not be happier! :)
Hi Lauren
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if we could figure out a way for you to share some of your early career experiences with the "next generation" here at Penn State-The first few months are always hectic but it looks like you came through with flying colors ! Congratulations! ( And enjoy your break!)
David