Three years ago, I became a student again. The last time I was a student, there was no internet and the first George Bush was president. It sure felt weird. But, there I was in front of my laptop starting another step in my pursuit to be an effective educator.
22 classes and thousands of working hours later, I embarked on the final semester of my graduate program. On September 1, I became a student teacher. I was beyond excited to get in the classroom to learn from experienced teachers and to work with students. I looked forward to connecting, engaging, and teaching children who hopefully would be forgiving as I learned my craft.
My expectations of this experience were surpassed greatly. These past four months have been amazingly rewarding and fun. I learned a great deal from some outstanding teachers. I also learned from each of the fantastically unique students.
With lots of hugs, well wishes, encouragement and an armful of unexpected gifts from a great group of boys and girls, I bid farewell on my last day as a student teacher. I absolutely loved being a student teacher and can't wait to have my own set of students one day.
It is hard to believe that I have finished my graduate degree program. Three years have gone by so quickly. However, my journey to be an effective educator is not even close to complete. I have some work to do for state certification next month and then I will join many others in the hunt for a job. Until then, I am cherishing the many wonderful memories I will always keep of being in a classroom these past 17 weeks.
