One Normal Week

Nothing special happened this week. No freak-out moments, no stress filled days, or tears fell from my eyes. This week was average. In the 9th grade classes, I introduced the research paper assignment. With a big project brought numerous complaints. The students’ motto this week turned to “This is too hard.” Fortunately for them, they have a student teacher who knows all of them are capable and smart enough to write a well written paper. I literally pray every night that they put in the work and time to complete the task. Reading and grading over fifty poorly written research papers does not sound like fun to me.

This week did have an extremely high point. Earlier this week, after a day filled with complaining from the students, one student approached me with a card. It was handwritten and decorated very well. I opened up the paper, and read one of the sweetest notes ever written. The student explained to me that she enjoyed my class and loved my sense of humor. The last line finished with “I hope you accomplish all your dreams Miss Chambers.” After reading her card and even thinking about it now, makes my eyes begin to water. After all the hard work and stressful days, the long hours filled with complaining and blank stares, this small card from one student made everything worthwhile.

Now that I’ve done a recap of the week, let me share a little heart to heart moment. This may be a bit cheesy and cliché, but it needs to be said. If or when you begin student teaching… really learn from it. I’ve lived through some pretty tough days this semester. Student teaching is really hard and very stressful. I hesitate every time I teach the students a new unit. I question all of my actions. My heart races when a student asks a question. I fear I won’t have all the answers. What I am slowly but surely realizing is to learn from every experience I have at Jackson. Times are demanding because I still have not learned the correct ways to approach every situation. Now that I’ve finished my little speal… learn from every experience student teaching. Enough said.