The super size bottle of pain reliever was a seemingly random present among the other school supplies given to be on the day I left my student teaching placement. Upon further consideration and experience, the pain reliever, as well as the bulk pack of air fresheners, were among the most valuable of all of the treasures.
This week brought both tears and triumphs, as do most weeks, in some form or another. I held my first OGT after school review session. It's going to be a long, uphill battle. These students are expected to know math that is twice the level of what they are currently learning. Standardized tests are a special ed. teacher's worst night mere..at least this one's. Why in the world is it logical to force a student who does not even know their times tables to muster up answers for geometrical and algebraic problems....it's not! I feel like they are being set up for failure and my job is not to allow that this failure to happen. How can I possibly teacher skills that they have not obtained in the last 6 years, plus those which are actually meant to be taught to their grade level peers?!
Tis the season....several days after school I worked with students on research essays. After working for several hours with one student, she summed it up quite nicely..."Do you have a headache yet?!...Cause I sure do!" These days are always hard; I love working with the students 1-1, the ones who are there because they not only need help, but want it! However, the days that I am at school until 6 with students, I can't help but think as I pack up for the evening...I have done no planning or grading for the next day! I feel SO behind it is unreal...no matter what I do. Lately, I feel as if I am constantly longing for the end of this school year. I want a chance to no longer be the first year teacher, the newbie, starting from scratch. I am not naive enough to think it will be care-free, no will it be error-free , but..everyone says it gets easier from here....so, here's to hoping!
Little victory: I went to my first WCHS sporting event. Three of my boys play for the basketball team, so after many periods of the asking me when I was coming to watch them "ball", I was finally able to make it to a game. It was amazing not only to watch their faces as I walked in, but to watch them in THEIR element. I hope this was one little thing that might allow them to see even more that I do care about them and their success...both in and outside of my classroom. I also got to see many parents and meet other parents from the community. As usual, when introduced by a fellow staff member, I was told that I look as if I "belong in the high school"...in case I wasn't already aware that not only do most of them tower over me, but some probably look older than me as well. I realize that I am supposed to be thanking God for this age and appearance discrepancy...but I am not quite there yet. Until then, I will continue to wear heals so that I am can at least look into the eyes of some of my students, make sure to wear my ID badge, and never to wear plaid, so as not to be mistaken for a uniformed high school student!
Seriously Sleepy,
Ms. Phillips
No comments:
Post a Comment