Playing Catch-Up

Okay, okay, I'm sorry.  I realize it has been a while since I have blogged.  In fact, I have started several posts over the past month but for one reason or another I never finished them.  So... what have I been doing during this hiatus anyways?

Well, for one, I've been changing students' lives.
    [[whoops, was that dramatic??]]
Fine, maybe I did not change the world or alter anyone's life trajectory for the better but I have been consumed in teaching 31 sixth graders...and let me tell you that is not an easy task.  Emilee and I pull up to the school on our first day and we see girls wearing MAKEUP and lockers...they have LOCKERS (and pinterests and iphones and attitudes; what.)  Emilee is borderline crying and I am nervously laughing.  I think we were both about to hightail it back to our favorite 2nd grade class.

But looking back on our experience I have decided that sixth grade is like that boy you just can't figure out- you have to break through that wall and work for their love.  Sixth graders are funny and do dumb things sometimes (I have a plethora of stories about being called Mrs. Saltine and superglue and baseball).  I think my favorite memory was getting a student to do quality work on his math for an entire week in exchange for a Kit-Kat bar [[after which I was called the best teacher ever... if I can buy your love, I will]].

I feel confident enough to say that most of the students enjoyed having us in their classroom.  I left the school yesterday feeling very content.  Needless to say, this morning I was certainly missing their sleepy smiles.

I think I'm not nearly as torn up about the end of this practicum as the last for two reasons:

  1. It's old news to me.  I knew from day one I'd be leaving them in four weeks.  This sixth grade class is not my first experience with forming relationships and then saying goodbye.
  2. I have something to look forward to other than meaningless assignments and finals... I have a future class to fill my time worrying about.
I have been hired as an intern teacher!

Yes, there is actually an end in sight.  No, I am not staying in college forever (although it feels like it sometimes).

Wait, but what does this mean?  Okay so I am still tied to BYU but I have my own classroom as in I am the teacher and the only teacher in the classroom [[insert happy dance]].  The specific grade is still being decided but more-than-likely I will be teaching a 1st or 2nd grade class.  It feels very surreal and I am honestly a little nervous.  Poor Kyle has no idea that this summer will be filled with crafting and planning.

For real though, I think it is going to be HARD but an amazing opportunity.  I know this because I'm not like a regular teacher, I'm a cool teacher [[Mean Girls reference anyone?]]

Sorry not sorry that my life is all about teaching... I mean hey it is my passion after all.

Until next time,
<33 Amanda

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