The Balancing Act: Teeter- Totter

Student teaching has taught me a lot, most of all, it's taught me how to try and stay balanced. Between my own personal life and events, student teaching, being a student, working a part time job, I've had to learn how to manage my time by the minute.

In January, I realized, planning minute by minute was especially important when managing a class period of 45 minutes. The secret I found: routines. I consistently now know I will spend 5 minutes on bell work, 5 minutes on fluency, 30 minutes on my lesson, and 5 minutes on closing/clean up time. 

Quickly, it became essential to learn how to more efficiently manage my time outside of the classroom. I have no choice. 

I have the occasional slip up where things don't always go as planned (so life goes), but if there's one thing I would like to learn to do better is to: accomplish my goals, have a life, and be the best professional I can be. 

It's about that time of year where the end is so near, I can almost see the finish line. I'm scared, I'm nervous, I'm afraid of falling off of this thin-line that's taken up all of my time, efforts, and sacrifice. I've been having a reoccurring dream that I somehow end up substituting, the same class, over and over again. I'm not sure where the fear stems from.

I'm lucky to have a cooperating teacher that is encouraging, supportive, understanding, and provides me feedback daily. She pushes me to become better, suggests different techniques, and praises me for best practices. 

I feel as if I have gone through the “growing pains” of improvement in my professional aspect, but I still have a long way to go.

My passion for teaching and reaching students is my main drive. I think the most rewarding part of my student teaching experience are the students that excitingly share stories that they’re writing with me and ask me if I can teach 7^th grade at their school next year. A student just recently asked me two days ago to edit her “book” she’s been writing. There’s nothing more rewarding than to see your students passion ignited for reading and writing outside of the classroom.

I have students that confide, trust, and believe in me as a teacher. When a problem arises, they look towards me for the solution. When my cooperating teacher leaves the room, they no longer question my authority in the classroom. I am their teacher.

The most important part is to believe in yourself. It’s something I struggle with, but I’ve become more confident as time has passed. I thank the supportive friends and teachers I’ve had around me.

I’ve learned the importance to  keep honest and open communications consistently with the professionals, families, and students you are working with. Be open to receiving feedback, and appreciate it, above all. Take advice, reflect on yourself honestly, and be ready to apply it to who you want to become.