What's This All About?

I am wanting to keep a "Blog" or Journal about my student teaching experience. I believe by being able to talk about my classroom experiences will help me become the successful teacher that I have always dreamed of becoming. I want to be able to be reflective. These are the questions I will ask myself each day: 1. What worked? 2. What didn't 3. What could I have done to be better prepared for the lessons? 4. What could I do to make the lessons better next time? By using this blog and being reflective will allow me the opportunity to grow and learn from these experiences.

I want to back up a little and tell My Story of how I have made it this far, that is, into Student Teaching. Scott and I found out we would be moving and at the time I was in my last year of college. I had changed my major over from Teaching to General Studies because I could finish GS in one year. Teaching on the other hand, would have taken me 2-3 more years is what I was being told. I thought I would have to give up my dream of becoming a teacher, but back in my mind I thought, I can always go back for alternate teacher certification.

Scott and I ended up moving to a town in Texas some people like to refer to as Wacko, Texas. Even our GPS likes to call it that as well. Scott knew what his job would be; Air Traffic Controller, because his job is what moved us to this Beautiful location. On the other hand, I had no idea what I was going to do. For months I looked for office jobs, and there wasn't anything available.

Summer was around the corner and I decided to see what kind of classes were being offered at the local community college. I noticed that an Alternate Teacher Certification Program was going to start and was going to start real soon. In exactly 3 days. I called and talked to the department head and he told me there was no way I was going to get in but he wanted to let me try. I was thinking, "I can do this. I have too." Right then and there, I stopped what I was doing and prayed. I asked God, if this was in His plan, that He would see to it that I got in the program. That day I was able to get my references in, thanks to my wonderful church family at House On The Rock.

I scheduled the acceptance test the next day and passed it, except for the writing part because I forgot to count my words...woops!! I had to reschedule it the next day and retook it and PASSED. I was finally accepted into the Alternate Teachers Certification Program! I give all my thanks to God :)

I walked into class that morning, and I let out a huge sigh of relief. I did it! I made it into the class in just three days. The class many thought I wouldn't be sitting in. I knew what was coming next and that's the part that scared me the most. The teacher tests. I had to pass Texas Content and the PPR. I began preparing by setting up study sessions at MCC. I went once a week. Sometimes even twice a week. I ended up passing them BOTH. Now I am ready to Student Teach.

This is what brings me here. January 24, 25,and 26. I will meet my mentor teacher and learn what our expectations are for this semester of Student Teaching. I am very excited to be here. I give all my thanks to God and my family for being here with me and helping me reach this goal.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"

By using this journal I hope that by being able to reflect on my experiences and that of others will help me become an effective and successful teacher.