Fall 2009

School has begun! Today was my first day in the elem.classroom. I have really lucked out with a mentor. She is great! She is very patient, kind, interesting, funny etc. There are 3 6th grade teachers and they have been so nice and friendly to me! I'm really looking forward to this year! Today the 6th graders in their homeroom decided on 2 rules they liked. Then all 3 classes came together and put together a list of 5 rules that they will follow along with the school's code of conduct rules. I found it very interesting to see what these little guys came up with. The top 2 were respect others and their property and be a team player and help each other out when needed. Other rules were no stealing and respect student's diversity. That one really blew me away! On the other hand, I had one student ask me what a vowel is. Now, really you do not know what a vowel is? Are you really in 6th grade? I didn't ask these questions , I just thought them. So I explained what a vowel is and how it is used. At some point I will develop a lesson plan and will actually teach the class! I'm nervous about that but I think I can do it. What really makes me nervous is knowing my mentor teacher and my university supervisor will be evaluating me! Nothing like being on display for all to see! I also started my content area classes today. I'm taking Literature at Mid Level Grades, Math (in mid level grades), Science, and Social Studies/ Diversity in Mid Level Grades. I am sure this will be a very busy semester but one I hope to learn all things I will need to be a good teacher. My Math professor said today that teachers are called and if you do not feel you have been called to teacher than you should find something else to do. I know that I have been called to teach. I know that this is what Heavenly Father wants me to do, and I know with his help and guidance I can be an awesome teacher!

Summer School is Over!!

Well, I made it through summer school! I got through my LAST math class and ended up with a C, which I will gladly take! Now I can say I am officially finished with my degree, all that is left are my 12 hours of content that I will take this fall. I meet with one of my mentor teachers on Monday so she can show me around and introduce me to the staff. And, to top things off Dan brought home a nasty cold last weekend and guess who got it? ME! So, now I am coughing, aching, fever, and pretty much feel awful and the worst part is I was going to see Branden, Sharla, and Braden today for a get together and now I can't go! I really do not want anyone esp the baby to get this crud. Oh well, if I can keep my eyes open I will have time to study for my practice test next Thursday!

Internship/Student Teaching

Today is a good day! I finally heard from one of the schools I will be doing my internship and student teaching at! At UTA you do part of your internship and student teaching in your lower grades and the other half in your upper grades. So, for me that means I will do my first half in a 6th grade Language Arts/Reading class. I talked to my mentor teacher today and she sounds so nice. I think we are going to get along great and I feel I will learn a lot from her. She is going to let me be as involved as I want and work with students on a one on one basis. I'm so excited but nervous. The second half of the fall term I will be at a junior high either 7th or 8th grade. I'm still waiting to hear from them. In the spring semester it will be the same thing. Half will be in the elementary and half in the junior high and I will be in the classroom full time (5days a week) but I will still be with the same grades and teachers. I like this because I will know the students and they will know me. Now, all I have to do is pass this math class and that will finally be behind me and I can move forward and finish my degree! Yay!!!