The only thing I have ever wanted to do with my life is teach. My grandmothers were both teachers. My older sister taught school for a few years and I have worked in an elementary school for the past four years. I am not short of experience on teaching. As a piano teacher, as a primary teacher, as a group leader at CHASP and PTC, as a merit badge counselor and area director, helping my sister in her classroom, helping my mom with her ESL and reading groups.. You think I'd be super good at this? Right?
I have always considered my self a natural at this. So why am I all of a sudden stuck in a rut- struggling to come up with lesson plans (my usual creativity is shot :P), staying awake all night long panicking- hoping my lesson actually works and procrastinating worse than ever?? Maybe I have just hit burnout. 5 years of college is taking it's toll. I want to be DONE!
Maybe things will be better when I graduate (if that happens) and I have my OWN classroom. Right now I am in another teacher's class. I teach spontaneous lessons. I can't stay as much as I wish I could because I have another class and a job that I am trying keep- so that I can pay to student teach next semester! I have had 2 1/2 weeks to teach 8 lessons. I have taught 2. Ug. If I had my own classroom things would be better. But I'm not there yet! And I will never be there unless I can pick my self up and FINISH what I've started. I am sooo close. Graduation looms a mere 6 months away. I want be a good student teacher. I want to be as good as my super awesome, middle aged, teacher pet classmates. I want to wear that Wildcat purple and accept my diploma!
But instead- I am blogging. Instead of preparing for my lessons. Maybe it is the onset of my horrible seasonal depression, maybe I am just lazy, maybe I don't care anymore. But I need to be better, because I am so close. But yet so far.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
"Lights On" for Afterschool!
Did you know that over 70 percent of students today go home an empty house because their parents are working?
Did you know that only 9 percent of those children are enrolled in Afterschool programs?
Studies show that kids involved in Afterschool programs are far more likely to stay away from drugs, alcohol and gangs. They get better grades and have better social skills as well. Afterschool programs provide a safe, supportive and fun environment for kids.
Every weekday I get to spend time with some of the most creative, talented and enthusiastic kids I have ever met. They teach me patience and love. I see the challenges they face in their lives- broken homes, poverty, parents in prison or parents suffering with addictions. They make me want to be stronger and happier.
They use Afterschool to do their homework. I get to help them with it, and help them to make sure that they understand and do it correctly. I love when they come to me at the end of the quarter and tell me the good grades that they got. I plan academic time and teach them new things, help them to understand old concepts, practice math facts, learn how to research, explore new books, and play games.
Kids from kindergarten to 6th grade attend our program. They are separated into their grades for snack and academic time but come together at recess and group activities. The kids don't care what grades the other kids are in- they all play together. Second graders play with fifth grade and kindergarteners with third graders. They are all a big group of friends. The younger ones learn from the older ones and vise versa. They don't hang out during school, but they come together at Afterschool. It is so cute!
I love the hugs I get from them. I love how excited some of the kids are to see me. It makes me feel special. Some of these kids need hugs soo much. I am glad that I can be there for them. I love to talk to them, get to know them, their likes, dislikes, talents, background.
I love the staff. There only nine of us and we're all pretty good friends. We play games of basketball after all the kids leave and eat lunch and talk to each other before the kids come. We help each other and support each other and fill in for each other when necessary. We go to trainings together. In September we went to Provo for the day for Jumpstart conference. Last spring I went to Florida for a conference. Amazing experience.
A couple of weeks ago we put on our annual 'Lights On' program. It was a Halloween carnival. We have booths of fun games and some of the kids did an amazing dance. 'Lights On' is designed to show the community how important Afterschool Programs are. I am so proud to be a member of the National Afterschool Association and to be a group leader at Club Heights After School Program. aka: CHASP :)
CHASP has been a HUGE blessing in my life. It have provided me with income, friends, a purpose and fun.
Did you know that only 9 percent of those children are enrolled in Afterschool programs?
Studies show that kids involved in Afterschool programs are far more likely to stay away from drugs, alcohol and gangs. They get better grades and have better social skills as well. Afterschool programs provide a safe, supportive and fun environment for kids.
Every weekday I get to spend time with some of the most creative, talented and enthusiastic kids I have ever met. They teach me patience and love. I see the challenges they face in their lives- broken homes, poverty, parents in prison or parents suffering with addictions. They make me want to be stronger and happier.
They use Afterschool to do their homework. I get to help them with it, and help them to make sure that they understand and do it correctly. I love when they come to me at the end of the quarter and tell me the good grades that they got. I plan academic time and teach them new things, help them to understand old concepts, practice math facts, learn how to research, explore new books, and play games.
Kids from kindergarten to 6th grade attend our program. They are separated into their grades for snack and academic time but come together at recess and group activities. The kids don't care what grades the other kids are in- they all play together. Second graders play with fifth grade and kindergarteners with third graders. They are all a big group of friends. The younger ones learn from the older ones and vise versa. They don't hang out during school, but they come together at Afterschool. It is so cute!
I love the hugs I get from them. I love how excited some of the kids are to see me. It makes me feel special. Some of these kids need hugs soo much. I am glad that I can be there for them. I love to talk to them, get to know them, their likes, dislikes, talents, background.
I love the staff. There only nine of us and we're all pretty good friends. We play games of basketball after all the kids leave and eat lunch and talk to each other before the kids come. We help each other and support each other and fill in for each other when necessary. We go to trainings together. In September we went to Provo for the day for Jumpstart conference. Last spring I went to Florida for a conference. Amazing experience.
A couple of weeks ago we put on our annual 'Lights On' program. It was a Halloween carnival. We have booths of fun games and some of the kids did an amazing dance. 'Lights On' is designed to show the community how important Afterschool Programs are. I am so proud to be a member of the National Afterschool Association and to be a group leader at Club Heights After School Program. aka: CHASP :)
CHASP has been a HUGE blessing in my life. It have provided me with income, friends, a purpose and fun.
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