Student Teaching

Well, here begins a new chapter...Student Teaching!

I am currently in a first grade classroom in Erie, Colorado and living with dear family up here as well. It is exciting to be at this point in life.

Last week I was in the building for three days for the teacher contract days. It was full of prep for the school year, meetings, and lots of name-labelling.
I plan to blog all about my experiences on my education blog which can be found at this link: Educational Musings.
Let's just say that although I have only been in the building for five days, I have certainly learned alot! Teachers do so incredibly much and deserve the heartiest pat on the back for what they do. I think this semester will definitely help me to build up my stamina being in the classroom, and it will require quite a bit of reflection, lots of writing, and lesson planning! It is exciting.

Freshman year of college, I definitely didn't forsee all of this (student teaching), but that goes for most of college. Amazing how many good plans God has for your life. Many of them unforseen. Changes that turn out to be the best.

For instance, I never thought that I would be going to a small, private, Lutheran school fourteen hours from home in high school. But Luther has turned out to be the best possible place for me. And I am so grateful for all of the experiences I have had at Luther and the opportunities that have come because of Luther.

I am very grateful for the many places that I have come to call "home" in life. And truly, home has become a place where the dearest of people are. Being in such a place of transition in life, I have definitely come to appreciate so much more, the people that I spend time with. I count it a blessing that I want to be in so many places at once so that I could spend time with every wonderful person!

My new playlist for the end of this summer and the beginning of this year has been the "Safe Haven" soundtrack. Yes, back to a soundtrack. But I absolutely love the music. It's acoustic and upbeat. It's good reflective music. (The movie is wonderful as well!)

As I have gotten more and more in to student teaching, I know and feel that teaching is the right place for me. I love working with kids and knowing that I can pass on a love for learning to so many littles. I am grateful for this time in life, even as crazy, and busy, and tired as I may be!

So here is an ode to every teacher in the world...thank you for all you do. You have such a profound influence upon so many people. My highest respect is given to you!