end of a new beginning

Didn't quite update my experiences during my 2nd teaching block at the new school I was soo ecstatic about.
All you thinking I might have had a really bad one hence the lack of updates.  But quite the opposite.  I loved every minute of my 2nd block that I just didn't have the time to update.  I wasn't at stressed or tired out as I was the 1st block...I really was able to enjoy it this time around.

There are far too many experiences from this block to try and recount.  7 weeks went by so quickly and it certainly was filled with lots of ups and downs...a a few loop de loops but I wouldn't change it for the world.   I learned so much and that's not just a saying...I really did learn a lot.  This teaching block made me realize how much more I wanted to be in teaching.  And I came to realize really what type of teacher I was or atleast wanted to be.  No matter how difficult kids can be..they are still kids and at the end of the day if they leave with one new piece of knowledge they didn't know at 8 am and with a smile...I will have done my job.  Keeping them safe and passing on knowledge I think is important to them all while they are having a good time, laughing and playing is really what teaching and learning comes down to.

As I reflect back on the last 7 weeks and more so the last 4 years of my concurrent program and process of becoming a teacher...I'd like to thank everyone who has been apart of it especially all the past teachers I had whether they were the best ones or the worst ones.  To NP, I hope you realize how much you have been apart of my journey.  You were not only my teacher but a role model and mentor.  You have become a close friend giving me the guidance I haven't really had.  Thank you to my friends who stuck by me and some of my family who although didn't think I was university material (so encouraging right?) let me conquer it anyways.  Mum you were the only one who told me to do what made me happy..and I know you are looking down on me so proudly because I finished and graduated University and about to become a certified teacher.  I miss you and wish I could give you a big hug.  Finally to my loving and most wonderful boyfriend.  You have been the most supportive person...the one I could count on...my confidante the last 2 and half years.  You have truely seen me grow the most.  Thanks for putting up with all my stories.

Future endeavors:  Have my own classroom.

Although it may not be for a few years...I know I will be ready when it happens.  For now, I'm going to enjoy some time off to myself and hope in September that I will be employed.

Until my next adventure...

p.s. I will try my best at keeping my teaching blog up to date.  Blog World you'll be one of the first to know!

love it

i'm absolutely ecstatic about my new placement.

went yesterday for my first observation (couldn't wait to be back in the classroom) and almost wanted to jump right in.  i gotta say i was a little nervous, cause you never know what you'll end up getting but i'm so happy.  The school's old but the staff seems great.  Extremely small staff...9 members.  That's soo crazy! well i guess not but for me it is...i'm not use to that.  it's a k-5 school, so that explains it.  only about 180 students.  I love how it's such a small community....very tight knit.  The staff members for most part are younger, a few older teachers but they are great! 

my associate is soo laidback but ontop of his things.  most importantly for me...he's young.  i think after having two associates who were about to retire, the experience was slightly different.  i didn't think it would matter but i think it will.  right off the bat, i felt a difference...can't really explain it but i'm stoked for this teaching block.  The team is great, great kids...the class is organized and with one look i know exactly what's going on.  I don't seem lost walking in.  There's soo much to rave about. CS has a really awesome relationship with his kids...they really respect him and they love to have fun.  He's a lot like me, so i think we'll mesh well together and the kids will be just as receptive.

next week, we're going skating.  yes skates, ice and lots of kids not a good combination but i'm soo excited to go.  it will definitely let me get to know the kids more on a different level.

 more to come, i promise

Block II

Found out where I'm being placed for my next block.  I've got a 2/3 split.  When I found out I had another split, I was a bit annoyed but I'm excited for it now.  I'm going to make the most of this placement, use what I have learned from my last block and hope to improve if not continue with things I've learned to do.  I emailed my new associate teacher to introduce myself and he emailed me back to tell me all about the school and the class (aka the team).  I love that he calls the class, team...it's great, makes it feel more like a learning environment as we all learn from each other.  I found out some interesting things: the new school i'm in..is only K-5...there's about 200 students.  I love small schools....its a more tight knit community.  He's teaching with technology i.e smartboards.  That's awesome for me...i'll get the exposure and learn to incorporate it into my teaching. and I assume he's a younger teacher since he's in his 6th year of teaching...i mean i could be wrong but i think that would make me feel more comfortable when i get into the classroom.  The other thing is that a friend from teacher's college knows him or his wife does and he said i'd be in good hands.  Apparently she has nothing but good things to say about CS so that makes me feel better.  All in all, i think its going to be a really good placement (knock on wood).  I'm looking forward to it.

tech class

We are exploring edublogs in our tech class today.  We have to create an edublog as if we have our own class by next week.  Pretty easy though since I already manage this blog already and I have some knowledge in HTML.  The class itself is long-winded though...I wish i could have done this from the comforts of my home.

2010

Not only a new year but we say goodbye to the last decade.

a wonderful decade to say the least, a lot has happened. I was 11 last time we turned into a new decade - the Millenium. I still remember the mania surrounding the change into the 2000's. It was foreign and odd but it felt strangely novel as if the world was about to undergo a huge fascinating makeover. needless to say, not much had changed as the clock hit midnight and we passed into a Y2K. No aliens or end of the world phenomenon nor did computers crash into abyss. Things seemed just like it did 1 second ago when we were still in 1999. But enough of the crazy millenium talk.

Hello 2010!!! New decade...New year...New beginnings. 10 years is a long time...who knows what the new decade and the new year will bring but i know there there is much to look forward to in the next 10 years. When I was 11, i thought about where i would be in the next 10-20 years...but it seemed so far away and intangible. From graduating post-secondary to establishing my teaching career to getting married and having children of my own to moving to another country...the adventures and possibilities are endless. Those dreams don't seem so far away afterall!


P.S. I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday. I wish everyone happiness in the new year.