It has been a whirl wind!

Well,

It has been a couple of weeks since I have last updated this blog. I'm really sorry for it taking me so long. There has been so much going on and not enough time in the day to type it all out.

Taylor's grandmother passed away last week. It was a really hard for the family and a tough time for Taylor. We are praying that God will be with his family during this time and give them peace.

Student teaching has been going wonderfully. I am really enjoying every day and wake up excited to get to school to see the kids. I have taught a couple of lessons: African American inventors and the Underground Railroad. The kids have enjoyed them and they have done really well on the projects I have given them. They have used their imaginations and have really surprised me with the great work they have done. There have been a few bumps in the teaching road. I realized I really need to work on my classroom management :)
I had a kid throw a fit because he didn't want to do the worksheet I had for him (he decided to crumple it up and eat the paper). I have had to sign some green sheets (this is the way the school disciplines the kids, if they get more than a certain number of signatures they get a certain punishment). All of the teachers have been wonderful to me and super helpful. I LOVE the teachers on my team. They are awesome and I am so thankful that God put me at that school. The longer I am there, the more I want to work there next year. The most wonderful thing would be for me to work at that school with those women!

Taylor has started tax season. I will be seeing less and less of him. This is our second tax season. Last year was hard because it was our first, so this year I am believing for an easy tax season. I am praying that we will be able to handle the workload with wisdom :)

THE BIG DAY!

Tomorrow is my very first day of student teaching.


It is hard to believe that just three and a half years ago I was starting my first day of college. I was worried about being there on time, not knowing where to park, wondering what I should wear, will people be nice to me, who will I eat lunch with, what will they think of me, etc. I'm sure most of you felt the same way.

The funny thing is...I'm thinking those same things right now. These questions are running through my brain right now, different context, same feelings. I honestly feel like it is my first day of highschool. That was probably the most nervous I have ever been. This is getting close second.

I really want to be a good teacher. I want my students to feel comfortable with me, I want to be the boss, I want to change a life (even if it is just one).

I know God is going to be there the whole time with me. That is the only way I will be able to do any of the things I just mentioned. This is something I could never do on my own (why would I want to). He is going to have to speak to me, lead me, guide me. No one else has to know.

Just as long as I do.

I cannot wait to get on here tomorrow and let you all know how it went.

Tomorrow=THE BIG DAY!

Kristen

PPR Test

Well, tomorrow I will be taking my second and final test to become a certified teacher. I have already passed the TExES test which is what you teach (content). Now I am taking the PPR test which is how you teach (pedagogy). I know I will do fine, and I have complete faith in God that he is going to help me through it.

I just cannot believe that this is the last test. I have already payed for my certification, and fingerprinting. Now I just have to pay for my diploma. I keep getting closer and closer to the end of my schooling. I cannot believe it has gone as well as it has and that it is almost over.

God has been with me the entire time, and he has definitely gotten me through it all. After the test tomorrow all I have left is to get my diploma and then I am a certified, real-life, actual TEACHER!

I will let you all know how tomorrow goes. Keep me in your prayers!

Much love,
Kristen

Well, I just got an email from my mentor teacher telling me some of the things that I will be doing the first week of student teaching and I am FREAKING OUT! I feel really overwhelmed and I haven't even started.

Ok...
I think I just need to breathe and get it together...........................

It will all be ok.....
I am going to have so much work to do this weekend. So much for a stress free last weekend :)

Oh My!

Well I just realized that this is my last full week of "regular" college classes. I will be starting student teaching next wednesday and I am getting really nervous and excited. I can imagine myself in the classroom with the students and it all looks good. On the other hand I imagine something horrible happening and I mess something up and look like a complete unintelligent human being. I know it is just the "mean guy" trying to get me down, but sometimes it is hard to ignore it. I just don't want to mess any kids up :)

It is really late for me right now, so I this post is going to be short. I was just wanting to let you know what was on my mind right now.

Love you all ( out there in the cyber world)!

KS

Here it goes!

Well, I have decided to see what all the hype is about and start my own blog. I will be starting student teaching Feb. 4 2009 and thought a blog would be a great place to chronical my 12 weeks in the classroom. I'm super new at all this blog stuff, so you are going to have to have patience with me.

Lets see where this road takes me...