That's right folks, it's starting to get real. Realer than real. (Is realer even a word?! I MIGHT be making things up now). July is quickly slipping away and the closer we get to the end of the month, the closer I get to being a legitimate teacher with real students and things. (OH MY GOSH!) Most of me is super excited. Then the rest of me (like 10 percent) is super nervous. I've never had a classroom all to my own before! ( I guess that's why they call it your first year of teaching, huh?) But, alas, I'm getting ahead of myself in explaining the excitement. I should start at the beginning.
You know the part about graduating college, that one happened in May and I already shared that story. I still can't believe it sometimes. And until yesterday when I opened my mailbox and saw my beautiful new diploma I really couldn't believe it. That's right, yesterday I got my official diploma, stating that I was officially a graduate of the University of Arizona and had fulfilled the requirements for a Bachelor's of Music degree in "Music Education- Instrumental Emphasis" (That's what it says on the diploma, and it sounds so official- I just had to write it here.) Woah. Now I just need to get a pretty frame so I can hang it up in my classroom as proof that I really do (theoretically) know what I'm doing. :)
THEN, last week, I finally was able to go get my certification. This piece of paper that says I have passed all of the requirements to be certified was a whopping $90. Holy Crap! I about had a heart attack. That is one piece of paper I will be holding near and dear so as to NEVER lose it. I'm pretty sure the replacement fee is significantly less, but I don't care. Losing a $90 piece of paper is like losing your phone, or laptop or something. Basically, not an option. And with those two documents, I'm officially a teacher in the state of Arizona. Which just feels insane. And so awesome. This, my dears, is what we call "living the dream." And I haven't even told you about today yet!
So, today, I went to my classroom to get some work done. I still have SO much organizing, and going through stuff to get done; but let me tell you, today we made some headway. The wonderful Band/Orchestra teacher at my school and my former cooperating teacher met me and we tackled that classroom and took no prisoners. They were an ENORMOUS help, like throwing away about 6 bags full of trash and a stack of old magazines as tall as me help. We went through just about everything in that room and decided if it was worthy of being kept or just too old for caring. Some of that stuff has been around since the year I was born. That's 23 years of accumulating dust. Wowzers. Thanks to those lovely ladies, I have so much less to do! But that's not even the exciting part. ( I know what you're thinking- wait, there's more?!) After a nice chat with my principal, I came to discover that my login information and email address are finally set up! Okay, so maybe that's not that exciting to you, but basically it's the coolest thing ever to me. Other than signing a contract, I feel officially part of the Flowing Wells family. And I can log into my computer at school now, which is awesome. I'm excited to spend some time playing with various SMART board lessons now, which I couldn't do when I couldn't log onto that computer. So all in all, a GOOD day.
It's hard to believe that in 3 short weeks, I'll be going to my first day of EEI training and then a week after that, I'll have students in my classroom. And they will be mine. Not students I'm borrowing, but actually MY students. Unreal and so exciting. I just can't wait.
Not to worry, I'll keep you as updated as I have time for... I'm going for a first day of school post- but I suppose that will depend on how busy I am. It's kind of funny, because all of this classroom prep really reminds me of RA training week, when I spent every spare minute in my wing decorating and preparing for residents. The difference is that I'm preparing a classroom for learning and the "residents" are much younger. Oh, and they leave after their specials time is up. ;)
I'll try to post pictures of the classroom once it's all done. I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but I'm starting to see it in my head a little bit more. And that's just so exciting.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Ok.. So it's been awhile....
Yes, I know... it's been awhile since I've posted. Okay, longer than a while, like a year a while. Oops? To be fair, I've never been one for journaling; and that's basically what this is except that the whole world can view it... or at least the people I'm friends with on Facebook (which, let's face it, sometimes feels like the whole world). Okay, so where to start? I've had kind of a whirl wind of a year.
Let's start with the fact that I put on a recital. I won't lie, it is something that I both dreaded and looked forward to since the moment I found out this was a requirement for graduation. Having bounced between 3 different teachers certainly didn't help either. Many tears were shed, many stressful days in a practice room were spent and I may have ( okay, I did) snap at many close friends and family members under the pressure. It was probably the most stressful time of my life to date. And then, it happened. I got up on stage, and every thought that I could possibly think ran through my head; everything except the music and what my fingers were supposed to be doing. I'm not kidding, I wish I could say it was like everything fell into place and the recital went wonderfully. I really do. But I can't. I got so nervous, I was more distracted than I had ever been. It wasn't a terrible recital, but it certainly wasn't my best performance either. So I kicked myself for a few days, accepted the praise that my family and friends gave me (regardless of believing it or not) and then moved on. Student teaching was next on the plan, so I did my best to move on. I went home for winter break and prepared to take the AEPA and face 500 Kindergarten thru 6th graders.
Student teaching was the greatest experience I have ever had. I can honestly say I never felt more sure of myself and my life choices as I did from January through May of this year. The people I met at my school were absolutely amazing, and if the teachers and staff weren't enough, the students were over the top. I loved all of those kids. Quite honestly, even the ones that gave me a struggle every time I saw them were worth my time. I know it sounds cheesy and unrealistic. I won't sit here and tell you that I enjoyed every student's company every day. I certainly did not. In fact, I even had a day that resulted in tears. But I will say that every tough student, every hard day was a huge learning experience. And for that, I will forever be grateful. I learned so much more in 5 months than I even thought was possible in 5 years. It was certainly more than I had learned sitting in a college classroom for 4 1/2 years. I really have no other words for the experience than absolutely amazing.
Towards the end of my student teaching career, I began applying for jobs. I knew I really wanted to work in the district I student taught in, however with it being such a small district, chances were slim. My dear friend Paige was a teacher in the district at a position that I could only picture myself in when she announced she would be resigning to find a place closer to her home in Indiana. I applied, schmoozed the principal, and got an interview. I spent the few days I had preparing for the interview; rehearsing for my 10 minute lesson, going over various interview questions. I left the interview feeling great. All I had to do was wait out the weekend. The next day I checked my phone and had a message from 10am that morning. The principal had called to tell me that I had not gotten the job. I was devastated, but I tried to look at it positively. It helped that I had to teach all afternoon, so my mind was occupied from the all too familiar over-thinking it does in situations like these... well, actually, any situation. That same day, I received a phone call from another principal in the district asking me to call him to discuss a possible opening at his school. My faith was renewed. I met with the principal later that afternoon for an informal interview. I had a formal interview a week later, and taught a 30 minute lesson. Within a few hours of teaching my lesson, I received a phone call offering me the job. I was ecstatic. Not only did I get a job in the district that I wanted, but I got it before I graduated from college. All of this I know is a blessing. I am so unbelievably happy.
two weeks later I graduated with my Bachelors of Music degree in Music Education. I have spent my summer trying to get used to the idea that I'm a college graduate with a job in my field. Not to mention, it's not just a job, it's my dream job. I know I am unbelievably lucky. I've had so many great experiences in the last 5 months, and I can't believe how lucky I am to have all my dreams come true.
So, I suppose the next part of the journey will be my teaching adventures. That is still so surreal to say- MY teaching adventures. I think I'm finally finding my place in the world.
Let's start with the fact that I put on a recital. I won't lie, it is something that I both dreaded and looked forward to since the moment I found out this was a requirement for graduation. Having bounced between 3 different teachers certainly didn't help either. Many tears were shed, many stressful days in a practice room were spent and I may have ( okay, I did) snap at many close friends and family members under the pressure. It was probably the most stressful time of my life to date. And then, it happened. I got up on stage, and every thought that I could possibly think ran through my head; everything except the music and what my fingers were supposed to be doing. I'm not kidding, I wish I could say it was like everything fell into place and the recital went wonderfully. I really do. But I can't. I got so nervous, I was more distracted than I had ever been. It wasn't a terrible recital, but it certainly wasn't my best performance either. So I kicked myself for a few days, accepted the praise that my family and friends gave me (regardless of believing it or not) and then moved on. Student teaching was next on the plan, so I did my best to move on. I went home for winter break and prepared to take the AEPA and face 500 Kindergarten thru 6th graders.
Student teaching was the greatest experience I have ever had. I can honestly say I never felt more sure of myself and my life choices as I did from January through May of this year. The people I met at my school were absolutely amazing, and if the teachers and staff weren't enough, the students were over the top. I loved all of those kids. Quite honestly, even the ones that gave me a struggle every time I saw them were worth my time. I know it sounds cheesy and unrealistic. I won't sit here and tell you that I enjoyed every student's company every day. I certainly did not. In fact, I even had a day that resulted in tears. But I will say that every tough student, every hard day was a huge learning experience. And for that, I will forever be grateful. I learned so much more in 5 months than I even thought was possible in 5 years. It was certainly more than I had learned sitting in a college classroom for 4 1/2 years. I really have no other words for the experience than absolutely amazing.
Towards the end of my student teaching career, I began applying for jobs. I knew I really wanted to work in the district I student taught in, however with it being such a small district, chances were slim. My dear friend Paige was a teacher in the district at a position that I could only picture myself in when she announced she would be resigning to find a place closer to her home in Indiana. I applied, schmoozed the principal, and got an interview. I spent the few days I had preparing for the interview; rehearsing for my 10 minute lesson, going over various interview questions. I left the interview feeling great. All I had to do was wait out the weekend. The next day I checked my phone and had a message from 10am that morning. The principal had called to tell me that I had not gotten the job. I was devastated, but I tried to look at it positively. It helped that I had to teach all afternoon, so my mind was occupied from the all too familiar over-thinking it does in situations like these... well, actually, any situation. That same day, I received a phone call from another principal in the district asking me to call him to discuss a possible opening at his school. My faith was renewed. I met with the principal later that afternoon for an informal interview. I had a formal interview a week later, and taught a 30 minute lesson. Within a few hours of teaching my lesson, I received a phone call offering me the job. I was ecstatic. Not only did I get a job in the district that I wanted, but I got it before I graduated from college. All of this I know is a blessing. I am so unbelievably happy.
two weeks later I graduated with my Bachelors of Music degree in Music Education. I have spent my summer trying to get used to the idea that I'm a college graduate with a job in my field. Not to mention, it's not just a job, it's my dream job. I know I am unbelievably lucky. I've had so many great experiences in the last 5 months, and I can't believe how lucky I am to have all my dreams come true.
So, I suppose the next part of the journey will be my teaching adventures. That is still so surreal to say- MY teaching adventures. I think I'm finally finding my place in the world.
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