Planning Period

Right now I'm in my planning period at Highlands. This is a load of fun!! I'm bored, kinda.

I'm starting to freak out about how this semester is going to go. I'm taking over my coop. teacher's plans little by little, but what happens when I have to do the planning?? I can do it, but I don't want to be scrounging at the last minute getting things together. I'm afraid that my delivery of material during lecture is shoddy. I don't think clearly when I'm teaching; my mind jumps to others thoughts and I don't present the ideas logically for the students. It's logical to me but not so much for them. I think how much better I could have done if I were just with one student at a time.

I'm starting to think that I would prefer to be a counselor (one on one). And maybe also a tutor. Maybe I could work with Sylvan Learning Center...?

Anyway, pray that I may be at peace when I'm working this semester.

-----------------------------------------

Thought of the day -
"Don' worry; Be happy... Live happy now. Ayy"

Come On Back...

I guess I am officially a teacher. I just spent the majority of my week at Prof. Devel. sessions. Bureaucracy sucks when it gets in the way of teaching.

I learned a lot of cool techniques and strategies that will help me be a more effective teacher. The only problem is that I'm not sure what my role is, or what I want to do in my student teaching. I mean, I'm pretty limited in my choices, but I want to get the most out of the experience. I don't know whether my skills and ambitions seem shallow (in comparison to the teachers around me), or they really are shallow. I have ideas and plans for the semester and I can picture myself doing all kinds of cool activities; however, when I talk to my cooperating teacher and she asks me about my plans, I hesitate for fear that they don't stack up. I guess that's normal, though.

She asked me today what I want to focus on (a weakness of mine) this semester to make myself better. I didn't know how to respond. I assumed that every aspect would need improvement, so I would not need to pinpoint any one area. After explaining my assumption, she still seemed determined that I should focus on improving one or more specific ares of my teaching.

To explain my title... To explain my title...

The fancy speaker on Wed., flown in from Maine, had a few annoying habits. When the attention of her audience seemed to wane, she would stop mid-sentence and say, "Come on back". It is probably a pretty effective way of redirecting attention back to her, but she said it every five minutes. (I guess that doesn't say much for our attention spans.) Also, when she wanted to stress a point she repeated herself. This is a good strategy; doing this forty times in an hour is excessive and annoying.

Well, I guess I learned not to repeat strategies to the point of annoyance in my classroom.

--------------------

Feeling of the Day : Helplessness

Teacher? More Like Borofyl!

Well I finally have time and thoughts (and a good enough internet connection) to update my blog.

Lately I've been working endlessly (almost) and getting myself mentally prepared to teach this Fall. I've also been cramming my social calendar full in anticipation of the upcoming semester. I am anxious to get started with my student teaching semester; it promises to be a lot of fun, but also very stressful. The worst part is knowing that I am almost totally responsible for the learning of my students. I am a little nervous about discipline and classroom management. Though, my cooperating teacher seems really supportive.

I'm still reeling from a bad dating experience. (abridged version) I went out with a girl from work last Wednesday; it wasn't so bad but she is quite young and I feel awkward about teaching kids almost as old as her. I didn't really enjoy myself, but I don't quite know how to tell her. But I don't have to worry b/c another girl from work (whom I told in confidence about the situation) has already disclosed this to her. Now the whole thing is even more awkward and sensitive. I guess this is a challenge to use my diplomat skills.

I think it will be okay, but I'm going to end up the bad guy no matter what... would you expect any less from a girl??

Oh by the by, this August has been absurdly cool. I don't mind so much now because the days have been absolutely gorgeous, but by the time winter arrives I'll be craving heat. This is really cutting into my swim time. GRRR Arg!! ;)

~

I'm so Excited

I'm so excited; I'm so...Scared!!

I just went to the best concert EVER last night: Evanescence at Riverbend. Seether was great and I've come to enjoy SOME of the yelling/singing by 3 Days Grace. But of course Evanescence rocked my world.

That girl has such an amazing voice, and she's as awesome on stage as in a recording studio. She pretty too!! I haven't been to many concerts, so I didn't expect them to play any new songs (I thought they just played their album that was hottest at the time). But we got some different songs (from the other bands too); we heard some Nirvana, Korn, etc. And Evanescence teamed up with Seether for "Broken"!!

Ok that's enough about that! Now, the even more exciting news...

I get to go see Sends with Dave on Friday!!!! :)

Enough said - this is the highlight of my life.

~ Peace

"Wake me up inside, Wake me up inside"
"Save me from the nothing I've become"