Week 7 - Goodbye Mustangs

I remember being nervous about this placement and freaking out about it the night before I started. Now, my heart was breaking as I pulled away from the parking lot Thursday afternoon. I had no idea seven weeks could feel so long but so short; so brief, yet so impacting.


It was my final week of teaching the NPC Mustangs. And it was a bit of a crazy week, but it ended really well.


Monday I continued my stint of teaching (or supervising) all seven classes (my cooperating teacher was training for leading a group of students on a Europe trip later this spring, so I took over supervising her French classes in addition to the English classes I already was in charge of). The freshmen were simply finishing their final drafts, so weren't too much of a problem. The seniors discussed “Ozymandias,” and actually got into a lively discussion about celebrities who, like the statue, had fallen from prideful heights. It was encouraging to see them connecting to their homework and having so much participation. Though Monday didn't prove too much of a problem, I was ready to have my cooperating teacher back so I could a) have a plan period again and b) to have someone to support me after some challenges the previous week.
Then I got the text – she was stuck due to a canceled flight. Having finished my unit, and not being sure of what unit was next, I came up with a plan on the fly. The students took part in four stations, each with a different Language Arts related activity. I was proud of myself for thinking up this idea, and actually had a student comment on how she was impressed as well. To add to the challenge, Tuesday morning there was a two hour delay, so I had to plan for shorter classes as well. Hey, if nothing else, I have definitely learned to be flexible with my plans in this placement! Wednesday marked the return of my teacher and a phase out of my duties in that classroom.


The senior class, meanwhile, finished their Romanticism unit and I wrote and administered my first full-blown test. I gave it on my final day there; however, a very small percentage of my students actually took the test that day. First of all, not everyone was there, being the day before mid-winter break. Second, with so many tests that day, they had been given the option by my cooperating teacher to opt out until Tuesday. Those who did take the test did okay; for those that didn't do as well, it was because they hadn't taken responsibility for their studies. I felt had given them the supports needed; they had received a study guide and gone through a review activity, and the questions came straight from that. I also asked those who were there to fill out a post-assessment about their feelings and impressions of the unit; however, with so few in the room with me, I didn't get a good representation of the class's reactions.


My final day was a good way to end. I had brought candy and wrote the class notes. In the freshmen classes we also had cookies to share. I wish I had been able to say goodbye to more of the seniors and staff members, but many students did come and express their appreciation and say goodbye to me. Now, I just have papers – loads of papers – to grade before I head off to Illinois on Sunday to start my second placement with the Central Middle School Twisters.



This placement at NorthPointe was incredible. Never before have I felt so supported by the staff as a whole in a placement, and especially supported by my cooperating teachers. I also felt connected to each of the students, and have many fond memories, funny stories, and lessons learned that I take away as I leave this placement. I didn't know when I began just how much these seven weeks would mean to me. It really felt like a place I belonged; I was a staff member, I was trusted, and the students really became my students. I come away from this placement with more confidence for the future, with things to continue to work on, and a greater love for what I'm doing. Now, on to the next step and the next lessons God has in store for me. But I am incredibly grateful for all the blessings he showered on me through this time at NorthPointe.