If you look on the very surface of this first week, I need an easy button. It was taking students to Farm Show for 2 days, observing classes the rest of the week, and getting my technology squared away. Easy...right?
If you think it was easy, you need to take a deeper look with me. (For the record, I never once thought it was or was going to be easy)
To save everyone's time, I'm only going to give you the big things that happened this week; the ones that really impacted my experience.
I was nervous and scared and had two breakdowns before I left home to go back to PSU last week. I didn't want to leave home...now don't get me wrong of course I still want(ed) to teach but I just didn't feel like I was ready and didn't want to leave my parents, friends, and animals yet. My 2 week long break wasn't long enough. But when I walked in and got my ID on Monday that changed. I felt like I was ready for whatever student teaching was going to bring to me!
Throughout the week, I have been trying to get a lot of things done before I begin teaching. Logical, right? Maybe but I can't help and think, what could I do to get things done and still talk to the students? How can I connect with them and get to know them before I actually start teaching and do all my first day activities?
Another big thing that I did this week was sit in on the actual Ag Program Re-Approval Meeting. Mr. Haussener let me go with him to experience what I will have to do at some point in my career. A guy from the state came in and went through our PDE (PA Dept. of Education) Program Approval binder and gave suggestions on how to improve. He also commended the program at Cedar Crest for several things. It was interesting to see that perspective of a program before I even start teaching!
To be honest, it scared me and motivated me at the same time. I realized that it was truly a lot of work in order to get re-approved. But it also made me want to do my best when I get my own program because I want it to succeed.
Please be looking for my administration interview blog and my science classroom visit blog which both describe other things I did in this first week!
The only thing I can do from here is to........
Keep re-channeling your "nervous energy" into "excited energy." It was great you were able to witness a program audit, they are necessary and quite extensive. You are gonna do great!
ReplyDeleteI guess re-channeling my nervous energy is where "the why" comes in! Thank you!
DeleteI love Carly's tip on "Rechanneling"
ReplyDeleteAnyone who tells you they were not nervous is not being truthful
You are nervous because you care! Keep your eye on the prize.
Exciting that you got to sit in on the program reapproval process. There’s a lot to be gained from that experience. You mentioned at the start getting squared away with technology. What did that involve?
ReplyDeleteSorry for not responding sooner! I had trouble connecting with the wi-fi and had to get log in info for Schoology and Skyward.
DeleteSara,
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to see what you learn and how you grow in the coming weeks!
-Dr. Ewing
Sara, sounds like a great start to your student teaching internship. Glad to hear that you were able to enjoy Farm Show/Mid-Winter Convention with your students. I know it seems like a lot of watching and waiting right now, but you will soon find a groove in your daily routine and the fun begins! That's great that you were able to attend the program approval meeting with Mr. Haussener, the first of many great experiences that I'm sure you will have throughout your internship. Can't wait to hear more about it.
ReplyDelete