Day 15, in which several students share their hearts.

Today was a great day.
Let me say that once more,
Today was a great day.

Today I had my first student cry. She was afraid that she wouldn't do well on her project, because her partner wasn't pulling his weight. I encouraged her to advocate for herself, reminding her that we cannot control other people, but she can let the teacher know what's going on, and just do her best on the things she can control. I was so proud to see her walk back into the theatre, find her partner, treat him with kindness and patience and get back to work. Honestly, I think she handled the situation with more maturity and grace than I could have, and I was so encouraged by her spirit.

Today one of my students told me that he was so excited for his friend, because this afternoon was going to be his first audition ever - however, when 4th period came around, this student said that he was no longer auditioning. We asked him why, and he said "well, my dad is kind of a... man's man... and he will only let me audition once this year, so I chose the musical."
First of all, I am proud of my student for following something he loves, and is passionate about - that's pretty awesome. It can be difficult to hear things like this, fathers believing that the arts are 'feminine', and I don't know the whole situation at home, but I am so glad that my student is still in theatre class, is still auditioning, is still working hard and pursuing what he loves. While the news about the dad was hard to hear, this remains encouraging. I told my student that he should invite his dad to audition, too. I hope his father will see the productions, and see how well his son is doing. And I hope that maybe then, he will change his mind.
And, my heart is full to think about the other students in the class who are so supportive of this student, and upon hearing about his dad, nobody said anything, but everyone had looks of pure compassion, and some nodded, understanding. This is a great group.

Today another one of my students was talking about how his father would help to build the set when he gets back, and he spoke with so much pride and love, that I was truly captivated, just by this simple statement. I could kind of tell that he wanted to talk about it more, so I asked him where his dad was, and he answered -
Afghanistan.
Wow. I was definitely not expecting to find that in this little old peak of good living. That is dangerous, adventurous, wild at heart. I asked my student when his dad would be home, and he said December. I hope it's before I leave.
I told him about my camper this summer whose father surprised her by picking her up at the end of the week, and I just wish I could share with you the look on this boy's face... I think his dad really means a lot to him, and it was so sweet, and so touching, and so strong to witness this. I have been truly blessed.

You guys, I love my students.
Truly.

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 

rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name, 

 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

[Philippians 2:1-11]

Student teaching, a summary.

Reflections on Week Two (Three?)

I've officially completed my second week with students. This was only a three-day week, so it was relatively easy, although that definitely discouraged me from being productive in my planning and work time at school. In fact, today is a teacher workday and my co-op has allowed me to work at the library closer to my house so that I don't have to drive 30-minutes to the high school, and yet, it is 11:00 am and I'm not even out of my pajamas yet.

This week I took on the full-responsibility of teaching Theatre I. This is a big job! I have learned very quickly that student teaching becomes very real, very fast. Work seems to pile up, and it can be overwhelming having to focus simultaneously on the day-to-day operations of each class, while also looking forward to next week, planning those lessons to submit a week in advance, and planning for the focus week of my impact project, which will take place in October. It can be a lot to handle.

And yet, the job remains rewarding. I love working with students. One of my awesome Theatre II's showed me his monologue after school yesterday. I had helped him to find this piece, and he came back saying that he loved it... the monologues are not even due for another few weeks, and he already has his mostly memorized, and has been working on it at home - how amazing! I was so encouraged and inspired by his commitment and enthusiasm. This makes the job worth it, these moments.

Yesterday I also stayed after school to coach the band teacher's son for his middle school audition again, and since we had a meeting for all students interested in participating in school productions this year, some of my students had to stay late to wait for their parents to pick them up, rather than riding the bus like they normally would. So, there were 4-5 students left in the auditorium with me when I was helping R. They kindly agreed to participate in our physical warm-up, and were very happy to do so, and they watched R's work and offered him some really valuable feedback. They encouraged him, reminding him that he is learning things that they are learning in 10th or 11th grade, and he is only in 8th! And on their way out, they told him that he would do a great job at his audition next week.

My students are awesome.

And so, lessons from a student teacher:

• The work is hard
• The time commitment is huge
• You will get tired
• You will mess up
• You will forget things
• And you will be thankful, because it's all worth it.

“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. [Matthew 14:29]

Day 12 (Week 3, Day 2!)

I have learned a lot this semester about the way that the Lord leads on paths of righteousness, paths that will bring glory to His name, should we follow them, and should we hold steadfast to His promises. I had a really really challenging summer - but I got through. This is something for another blog, but I know for sure that I was serving a greater purpose. Now, I am so, so thankful to be in a place where my heart feels secure. I am thankful to feel like I am on a path toward a meaningful future. I am grateful to feel the energy of what is to come. I am in-waiting for the conversations, the "aha moments", the overcoming of fear, the struggles, the joys, the growth. I am ready, I am waiting. I am thankful.
He guides me along the right paths    for his name’s sake. [Psalm 23]

Lessons - Week 1

As of today, these are things I know:
-Teaching in pants is better than teaching in a skirt. You will move around on the floor.
-Bring snacks. Hunger sets in pretty quick when breakfast happens at 6am.
-It's okay to say "I don't know, but I can find out"
- Use your planning period. You may think you'll be able to work at home, but you definitely will not.
 -Be nice to people. Relationships are super important, in any field of work.
-DO NOT NAP. You will not be able to sleep at night!!
-Make yourself exercise. Make a plan. It's really hard to do it, but it makes you feel good.
-Love your students. Just live out your love for them. They will know it.
-You're automatically cool because you're in college. Stop worrying so much.
-And as always, these three rules apply: 

•  Stay cool
• Don't be a turd
• And have fun!

Day Seven, in which the first frustrations arise.

Hello, Blogosphere. Hello, readers. Hello, friends.

I'm in a silly mood because I am feeling very sleepy today. It is Tuesday, but it certainly doesn't feel that way. It feels a lot more like Thursday, which makes me super anxious about the work I need to turn in by Saturday night (or in this case, Thursday night, because I'm going to camp on Friday)... but in reality, I'm doing really well, and I'm pretty far ahead!

My teacher is a pretty last-minute planner, in fact, she decided what we would do in Tech class today approximately 10 minutes before tech class began. This makes it a bit difficult when I have to write my lesson plans a week in advance, and have them approved by her. But today, I asked what she wanted me to teach next week so I can get a head start on those (again, due Thursday night). I'm taking on Theatre I all by myself next week, and I am excited, but here is where the bit of frustration has begun to sink in:

I am so anxious to be a real teacher, to make my own syllabus and schedule and to design my own class, that it can be difficult and frustrating for me to follow her plans, while attempting to add my own twist on things. I have to fit into her unit titles, and arrange my lessons to fit hers, and I have her lesson plans (or lists, sort of), and she has been teaching this for thirteen years, so it seems that she has her assessments pretty much set... I know she is flexible, and she's told me that I can teach it any way I would like to, whatever I think will work best, but it is definitely a challenge to integrate my ideas with her ready-made plans.

I think that over time, this will sort itself out, especially when I start taking over Theatre I... except I'm not delivering the final assessment, because I'm done on December 11th, and their final is January 13th. I'm sure we'll figure out what to do, and she has had student teachers before, so I know it will be okay. It's just an interesting personality difference - my planning and organization versus her following what she has always done. She is still very organized and has things all worked out, but I'm bringing in new things, which I want to do, but which seems intimidating right now.

In any case, it's only the second day with students, and I'm already tired of observing and ready to jump right into the water - I'd say that's a good thing : )

I have to remember to be patient - I am still learning, after all. I am a student teacher. I need to remind myself of that fact daily.

I wonder if the students think I don't do anything - but, again, it's only the second day. I'm not supposed to do anything right now - except observe and work behind the scenes. It's interesting when most of my students have had classes with my teacher before, so I'm new - normally everyone is kind of new together, especially at the start of the year, but this is a bit different.

I think it will be okay.

I just want to know when I should jump in, when I should add to conversations, when I should take the lead and stop just watching... but, Laura, it's day two.

It's going to be okay.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. [Isaiah 26:3]

Day Six (Week 2, Day 1)

The counting reminds me of Running Mate. (If you haven't heard of this, you should definitely check it out, runningmatemedia.com!)

Today was my first day with students - -

And it was awesome!

It actually went by really fast. This morning we had homeroom, then theatre I, which picked up all the exercises really quickly - I think they will be a good class. Then we had planning, in which I got pretty far on my homework for the week. After that was technical theatre, and we got a bunch of stuff inventoried, and the students seem to know what they're doing, or to be enrolled in other theatre classes, and so they must be in tech because they want to be there. Then, we had lunch - yummm - then Theatre II. In that class, the students all explained why they took Theatre II, and it was so awesome to hear them talk about what theatre means to them - I wish I could have it recorded and turn it in for my impact project!! It really encouraged me to hear this, and assured me that I am doing something that is important and meaningful.

That was definitely the hi-light of the day. After that, the day was over! I just worked in the office some more, and got some more homework done, and then came home, ate a cookie, which motivated me to go for a run, took a shower, and now here I am!

(Also my teacher told me that I don't need to wear pantyhose, and I can put my nose ring back in, because it's fine with everybody at my school. That's awesome.)

Oh, and I encouraged the chorus teacher to look into Chacos to help with her tendon problem in her foot - I should be a Chaco sales rep, I love these things so much. I think she's going to get some, and I really hope they help her. I like her a lot! I know it's only the first day (with students) but I could definitely see myself working at this school in the future.

Of course, like I said, it's day one.

We'll see where this goes... but so far, so GREAT!

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, 
     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake. [Psalm 23]