Week 17 - My Story is Just Beginning

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-15


This week was about endings at student teaching. My students each day saw more things come off the walls as my teacher begins packing the classroom. I taught them for the last time on Monday, then spent the rest of the week assisting as necessary, finishing grading, or just observing. I attended the declamation end-of-the-year party with some of the funniest and most energetic students. I turned my technology tools back in to the tech office. Then I walked out of the door for the last time on Friday afternoon. For this reason, I thought about starting out this post with 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” I must say, this semester – and this college experience – may have seemed a bit like a marathon at times, or a battle, and I do feel a bit victorious.


Yet, it isn't the end in many aspects. Instead, I'm striving forward towards where God is calling me next. This placement has prepared me for that. The principals gave me great advice in a mock interview Thursday which I carried into my first interview on Friday. In that interview, I was asked to talk about what this student teaching has taught me – and it has certainly taught me a lot about management, about planning, about connecting to students, and about how to implement all the knowledge and passion inside of me into the classroom daily.


Thankfully, I've also had two other calls for interviews and more applications continue to be filled out. Even so, I'm struggling to rely on what God has planned. I'm fearful about the future, afraid that I won't get a job or that I won't have money. I've taken a hard hit not having any income for this semester and I don't know when I'll start making money again without confirmation of a position. God is breaking me, bringing me to a point where my next step is fully reliant on what He decides will happen. I just keep pressing on, though, filling out applications, preparing for interviews, and knowing that God will open the correct doors at the correct time and not a moment sooner.

Week 16 - The final laps

Can it possibly be? Can this be my last week? Can it be that I find myself floating above the current of stress and anxiety, done with nearly everything for this semester?


Can I be going into my weeks of lasts here at Trinity?


Okay, the final line here is probably the saddest and I'm really trying not to dwell on it. The rest of it has me singing “hallelujah!”


Tomorrow marks my last day actually teaching in the classroom. Ms. Lynch has a day off, so I'm pretty much just teaching what she would be if she were there, and then Tuesday-Friday it's all her while I assist. One of my friends commented how I can say I came out of this experience alive, but I suppose I shouldn't speak too soon.


This past week was overall pretty average. I've found that in the structured instructional time I have a groove and usually feel in control of the situation. There are certain periods on certain days this isn't true, but overall it wasn't a bad week. The Dojo system works well for some kids, and others just continue what they were doing regardless. Fourth and fifth periods cause me the most issue, which is ironic since originally Ms. Lynch told me those were two classes that were her easiest to handle. I have students sending each other pictures the whole class period during fourth and students threatening to pee themselves or feuds breaking out during fifth. I'm not always perfect with how I handle these situations, but in my opinion I'm glad I experience this for the first time now while I can ask advice and support so when it comes up in my classroom later I'm ready.


Some are even acting up just to spite me. One kid told my cooperating teacher during his detention that he just wants me gone, so will break all of the rules until I leave. Since they were Ms. Lynch's rules (something she reminded him of), we'll see how that works out for him the rest of the semester. Others have expressed this same desire – to see me go – so some of the behavior stems from this. As the assistant principal told me, this attitude of wishing me gone might not last once I actually leave and I'll have kids trying to find me on Facebook.


One of the most impressive and exciting parts of teaching was the way that seventh hour is learning and responding. This was the class that my teacher warned me about, that she said was just awful all of first semester. Most of the kids in that class are either low academically or high behaviorally or both, so accommodations and differentiation is important in that class. However, this week I got some really thoughtful and insightful responses, more so than any of my other classes – including the class that is supposed to be accelerated. These students were really getting what we were reading, really thinking about it and analyzing it. It was great and I'm pretty thrilled about it.

Another impressive thing this week was the middle school's performance of The Little Mermaid (Jr.). Being a theatre geek, I was interested to see what they put on. It was fantastic, and some of my students blew me away with their talent. Seeing them in class I never would've guessed that some of them had that kind of singing voice or stage presence. I thoroughly enjoyed it and applaud all those involved with the scenery, the acting, the music, and more.


As mentioned, I turn over the reins this week Tuesday. We've finished Poe and I can't help but shake my head at how worried I was. This unit has been the best one yet. I've learned a lot from it, since I didn't know much Poe prior to this, and the kids were pretty hooked as well. The next unit my teacher is transitioning into is fairy tales and considering stereotypes. Though this would be fun to stick around and be a part of, I am definitely ready to bow out and move on to what these final weeks at Trinity will bring.


Since I've been so focused on student teaching, I was honestly a little taken aback when talking to my friends and realizing I'm already taking part in so many lasts here at Trinity, lasts of things that were important to my time here. Now that I have a weight off my shoulders, I am not letting these final days slip by unnoticed or unappreciated. This school has been amazing to me and while I look forward to what God brings in my future – a new marriage, a new job (interviews this week!), a new living situation – I will cherish everything I've experienced here and will not let go easily.


But before we get into all of that sentimental stuff... I do have one week left at school, and two at Trinity. It's time to carpe diem!