Student Teaching

It is very confusing to the traditionalists out there, but I am currently student teaching AND going to classes....what?  How can that be?  Isn't that hard?

Well....yes!

I am in the pilot program - along with around 40 other students statewide.  We are part-time student teaching this semester, full time next.  We are staying in the same school, working with the same teachers and students, for the full year.  We did pre-year set up and professional development, we are at staff meetings and PLC, we are writing lesson plans and teaching.  This is not another 'experience' of observation and assistance, nor it is just a 'methods' class.  We are co-teaching and are on the staff.  Heck, I even have a polo with 'Teacher' embroidered on the front!

Is it hard?  Yes....and no!  Yes because my three professors at UNI don't understand the program, nor embrace the fact that I am also writing lesson plans and grading papers.  There is no respect for what we are doing, communication seems to be lacking among faculty.  We even had a visiting professor at my fourth class (which is tied in with the student teaching) telling us that we weren't really student teaching and that we were just, "Doing our methods".  For those who don't know, methods classes are where we learn 'how' to teach specific content, and normally have a few hours of student experience with pre-approved lessons and professor oversight.  Then we reflect upon the experience.  This is NOT what we are doing!  No because I am in the classroom three days a week and I couldn't be happier!

I am co-teaching 5th and 6th grade Language Arts with the wonderful Mrs. Strayer.  Theresa is a 27-year teacher and within 2-3 days had taught me so much it was amazing!  She has given up having total control of her class, sharing it with me every day.  She has encouraged me to create my own features and to decorate the way I liked.  I made a picture wall, have a word wall, created chore lists and have jobs and training jobs for each student.  I am living my dream!  I am teaching writing and just having a blast.  One task that I have taken on is to build a class website, where I am blogging my experiences to share with parents.  It isn't 'released' yet since it has work to be done, but it is live!  Check it out at http://strayerhomeroom.weebly.com/

Life is busy, time is tight, but I am doing what I want to do.  Bike riding has stayed on the calendar, and riding Sunny has been a huge part of my summer, but now I am teaching too.  After making this huge life change and spending 4 years at UNI, it is a relief to know that I am right where I want to be!