PDS has been one heck of an experience for me. I have been challenged in ways I never thought were possible. I have been stressed out more than ever before trying to balance everything as well. On the other hand I have enjoyed every minute of PDS and the experience.
The first challenge I was met with was to create a Fiesta Math Night game linking it to the Mayan culture, which I knew nothing about. Once I figured out my game and how it connected to the Mayan culture, I think had to make the game acceptable for all grade levels. That was a challenge in itself. It had to be a game a 5th grader could play at the same time as a kindergartener. I thought my game was going to be complete flop. I am here to tell you I could not keep up on our first Fiesta Math Night because kids were coming to play my game left and right. They loved it ,and it is moments like that that make me really appreciate PDS and the challenges thrown my way.
Another challenge I was faced with was working in a Title I, dual-language school. This means some days are taught in Spanish and others in English. I am as white as they come and know zero Spanish. I was terrified walking into the elementary school for the first time. I have come to love the school, the staff and the students. I even started challenging myself with a “Spanish Word of the Day.” The kids help me come up with a word and we practice the word throughout the day until I have mastered it. Last week my two words were Chiquito, little boy, and Chiquita, little girl. It has been an eye opening experience with many rewards along the way.
Another challenge I have been faced with and overcame was the MI project. Growing up I was never good with math and to find out I had to teach students math skills and help them become successful in math, talk about stress! During this experience I have learned that math needs to hands-on and to use manipulatives as much as possible to help the students understand the math concepts. I have now met with my MI group four times and they impress me each and every week. Again, it is so rewarding to see how I can make a difference and help a small group of children start to become successful in math. It is a great feeling knowing that I can help children in a subject that I had so much difficulty in when I was their age.
Lastly, the most rewarding feeling in PDS is the little “school family” we have formed. Our cadre has seemed to bond very quickly and really well. We all get along, and it is always a good feeling to make new friends and new connections with others. I honestly could not see myself in any other cadre. It has been such a pleasant experience with this group of girls and my mentor teachers both at UNT and at the elementary schools. It is great that we can get together outside of school as well and enjoy one another’s company.
As I mentioned before, PDS is no walk in the park, but it is well worth all the tears! It is one of the most rewarding experiences yet. I am getting real life experience through this program and meeting and conquering challenges that come my way!
The first challenge I was met with was to create a Fiesta Math Night game linking it to the Mayan culture, which I knew nothing about. Once I figured out my game and how it connected to the Mayan culture, I think had to make the game acceptable for all grade levels. That was a challenge in itself. It had to be a game a 5th grader could play at the same time as a kindergartener. I thought my game was going to be complete flop. I am here to tell you I could not keep up on our first Fiesta Math Night because kids were coming to play my game left and right. They loved it ,and it is moments like that that make me really appreciate PDS and the challenges thrown my way.
Another challenge I was faced with was working in a Title I, dual-language school. This means some days are taught in Spanish and others in English. I am as white as they come and know zero Spanish. I was terrified walking into the elementary school for the first time. I have come to love the school, the staff and the students. I even started challenging myself with a “Spanish Word of the Day.” The kids help me come up with a word and we practice the word throughout the day until I have mastered it. Last week my two words were Chiquito, little boy, and Chiquita, little girl. It has been an eye opening experience with many rewards along the way.
Another challenge I have been faced with and overcame was the MI project. Growing up I was never good with math and to find out I had to teach students math skills and help them become successful in math, talk about stress! During this experience I have learned that math needs to hands-on and to use manipulatives as much as possible to help the students understand the math concepts. I have now met with my MI group four times and they impress me each and every week. Again, it is so rewarding to see how I can make a difference and help a small group of children start to become successful in math. It is a great feeling knowing that I can help children in a subject that I had so much difficulty in when I was their age.
Lastly, the most rewarding feeling in PDS is the little “school family” we have formed. Our cadre has seemed to bond very quickly and really well. We all get along, and it is always a good feeling to make new friends and new connections with others. I honestly could not see myself in any other cadre. It has been such a pleasant experience with this group of girls and my mentor teachers both at UNT and at the elementary schools. It is great that we can get together outside of school as well and enjoy one another’s company.
As I mentioned before, PDS is no walk in the park, but it is well worth all the tears! It is one of the most rewarding experiences yet. I am getting real life experience through this program and meeting and conquering challenges that come my way!