At the first school, I felt at home, like I was supposed to be there. The teacher was so welcoming and willing to share tips and what she had with me. I think the biggest challenge was only getting to be at that campus for such a short amount of time. I do wish that I had got a bit more time at the school, but things always work themselves out. This school was a title I school. I am grateful to get to see a school like that because many schools are that way, and even though I am not end up in a Title I school, I may still have students with that situation in my classrooms. I grew up that way, and even when I moved to a more affluent school, I was still the same.
The first and second schools were so different from each other. I think that I was more nervous for the second school than the first because the first was more like what I had grown up in. But the teachers were just as nice and welcoming as the first. I have learned a lot at this school because the teachers have shared so much with me and have gone more out of their way to make a personal connection.
I think one of the main things that I have learned was not to judge the students based on what school they go to. I knew what to expect in my first school, but I expected everything to be perfect at my second school because it was in a better part of town. However, I learned that some of these students are having a harder time than the students in the Title I school, for completely different reasons.
One of the main struggles for the semester is balancing my time with going to the schools, class, schoolwork, work, and free time. I have been trying my best to stay ahead, because I have noticed that when I am just keeping up, I am more tired that ever. I sometimes wish that I did not have to work this semester because I would have so much more time for schoolwork.
During this first semester of student teaching, I have my share of ups and downs. I have worried about financial aide, but it worked out. I have been more tired than I have ever been in my life, but I’m still going. There have been times when I have been worried that I am not cut out for this, but I think that it is all a part of the process. I think that I am learning to become a great teacher. I am nervous for next semester, but I think that it is a good thing. I think that one of the most important things that I have learned about myself during this semester is that if I start to get too comfortable, I stop learning.