Wow! What a crazy week I had!
My newest EPI term was officially in its second week; however, I have been working ahead…trying to finish assignments before they are actually due.
Why would I torture myself?
Well, you see, when we begin each term, we are given schedules with the assignments and due dates on them.
The college has an online site where all of the term’s class materials get dumped.
Quite honestly, it behooves students to work ahead, given that we have the materials we need.
Besides that, I tend to be forward thinking. As I looked ahead in the schedule, I quickly figured out that there were some very big assignments due for different classes but during the same week.
If I added them to my teaching responsibilities, well…they would make for one huge ulcer.
That is why I worked my hiney off to get all of my technology quizzes out of the way. I also finished a rather large assignment in one of my Field Experience classes. Most of the assignments in this class will, from here on out, be related to my observations/teaching experiences in my mentor’s classroom.
Speaking of mentor…
You might remember that I met my mentor last week.
What a great experience that was! He has over twenty years of teaching experience and has been mentoring EPI students for the last five years.
I’m in good hands.
Thank goodness, because I’m nervous as all get-out.
I have two more observation/teaching days with him, and I cannot wait to learn more tidbits.
One thing I discovered last week was how invigorating it is to talk to other teachers.
I am so shy, and I rarely step out of my shell.
I cannot do this as a teacher.
I won’t grow if I don’t.
Being in Mr. Mentor’s classroom got me excited as I heard him put his own spin on the lessons he was engaging his students in.
Teaching is a profession in which you cannot just sit back and put your feet on the desk all day.
It’s not a profession where every day is the same old, same old.
Every single day is different, and, though you make lesson plans, you still never know what you’re going to get once you’re in the midst of teaching them.
With all of that said, I have to say that with nearly half of my program completed, I am exhausted.
I took a good portion of the weekend off, and my body was so thankful.
I slept a lot.
I needed it.
I spend nearly every waking moment thinking about my assignments or my own lesson plans for the classes I teach.
I am longing for July 1 when I can close the books on this part of my education and relax my brain.
But, I’m not there yet.
Until then, I’ll take whatever moments I can and work my behind off in the moments that I can’t.
With fourteen weeks left to go, I’m starting to feel like maybe…just maybe…I’m getting there.
It’s ever so slow and painful. Sometimes, it feels as if I’m walking uphill on a very windy day.
God is good, though. He is merciful, and He is with me every difficult step of the way.
Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: certification classes, teaching | 2 Comments »
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