The First Weeks

A lot has changed since I started my clinical practice (student teaching) three weeks ago. The first lesson I taught was not one I had written and I wasn't sure how the students would react or how I would feel. However, it took me no more than five minutes until I started to flow, my shoulders relaxed, and I felt at ease. I have learned so much these past few weeks. Of course I have collected graphic organizers and studied teaching methods but most importantly, I have learned that I love teaching.

Now that I am heading into my fourth week of clinical practice, I am dreading the inevitable goodbyes. I have grown so attached to these amazing young people. They have such different past stories and different roads ahead. This past Friday, a group of girls told me Mexican legends about witches. Daniellea*, a girl who I had never seen talk or even smile, was suddenly flaring her arms and cocking her head, telling such wild, important, and personal stories.

Another student, Tim*, is failing English. He puts his head down within five minutes of every class and offers no answers or work. I asked him last week why he wasn't writing his in-class essay. I took away every excuse by giving him paper, a pen, a copy of the book, and personally discussing the prompt with him. Tim got a B on that essay. He's a really smart kid who just needed some personal encouragement.

These stories are small and works in progress. A victory on Monday is forgotten by Friday when once again Daneilla is too shy to talk or Tim is too tired to care, but I am learning that teaching takes a lot more than the standards let on. I have known these students no more than a few months but I care that they are happy and always learning. I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead but am also curious if I can keep up this enthusiasm; a lot of teachers seem to lack it and I wonder if it is something you just have or if it breaks down with every new year, every new struggle. Time will tell but I just don't want to lose it.

*Names have been changed