Forty-nine days to go!

The fifty days of my student teaching officially began today. The funny thing was that I could not even worry about my lessons because I have spent the last three weeks stressing, that I had absolutely no energy left to do so. My lessons went well! I taught two freshmen classes and they seemed to respond well to me being in the front of the classroom. The butterflies kicked in right before I needed to speak. I was concerned that I would not be able to draw my students in and that I would not be able to fill the entire class period. I am so happy that the lessons went well. Relief was the only emotion I felt as I walked out of DHHS today.


I’m thankful that I have had so many people tell me I can do this. I do not always have the most confidence in my abilities but everyone else does, they truly have an unfailing faith in me. Who can say that? That more than one person believes in you so much? I’m so lucky. I feel encouraged, motivated, and inspired by the people who have helped me get to this point. I will never be able to fully communicate my appreciation for my friends, family, professors, teachers, advisors, and mentors. I am going to push through this stressful yet rewarding experience and make everyone proud but also, myself. I’ve gotten to this point with hard work, dedication, and strength.
The road to a degree is a hard and rocky one at times, but once you get that good grade, that awesome internship, a good student teaching experience; you feel on top of the world. There have been many times where I did not think I could handle the stress and the work load of being a college student, but look at me now! I’m a college senior, working three part time jobs, student teaching, getting good grades, and working towards making a difference. Don’t give up, that’s my advice to every student. If you want to go to college and you’re not sure how you will pay for it, don’t give up, you’ll find a way to reach your goals. If you’re a college student struggling to get the grades, ask for help and work hard, you can do this. Everything you’re doing is worth it! (Sorry, I get a little cheesy at times!)

Busy Weekend!

Sorry it has been so long since my last post, I have been nursing myself back to health! I ended up having laryngitis and a sinus infection. It has been such a terrible week just because I haven’t been able to move at all! I am now feeling a little bit better, still coughing and wheezing, but my fever that I’ve had for three days broke late this morning. I was so relieved for that! I was supposed to take over my freshmen classes this week but my health kind of ruined that idea, so I will start on Monday.
I did have a busy weekend, which probably didn’t help my illness. On Friday night, I went home to New London for a work meeting. Saturday morning, I worked as a tour guide in the Admissions office. I gave tours to two great families. They were such a joy to spend my morning with. After that I went back to my apartment and relaxed before having to head to my new job which is at Elevate/ Alchemy in New Haven. I work in the front of the club, just taking emails for their email list. I asked for a job to work at night and I got one! It’s a lot of fun, I get to meet and talk to a lot of new people which is right up my alley! I got out of work around 2:30-2:45 AM and I decided to stay at my friend’s apartment which is much closer to school than my apartment.
I had to be at school for 6:45 AM to head to the Students in Admission Forum at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The Forum was so much fun and I was able to learn a lot about other schools’ tour guide and blogging programs. It was very interesting and informative. I also was able to meet Sarah Dussault, who I have known of for a while. She is a fitness blogger and Youtuber. I’m not going to lie; I’m kind of a huge fan! Overall, it was a great day and it was fun to spend it with a few other tour guides including Olivia Palmer, who is also a blogger!
On Monday, I did a video interview for Albertus publications. It was so much fun and I really enjoyed telling my story at Albertus. I have had such an amazing experience here that I want to be able to share it with other students and perspective students. If you get involved and have fun, your experiences and opportunities will expand. What will YOUR story be at Albertus?

First Full Week of Classes

This is the first full week of classes at Daniel Hand High School. When Monday rolled around, I was so tired and wasn’t sure I’d make it through the week but I have, yay! I did my mini lessons that are required for my Practicum. I taught two freshmen lessons and a junior class. The mini lessons taught me a lot. I’m learning through trial and error, what works and what doesn’t. That’s the point of this experience and sometimes I lose sight of that since I am a perfectionist. I want to do well, not for me or my grades, but for my students! The lessons that I am presenting are to enforce skills that they will need through high school and eventually college.
I am very lucky to be at Daniel Hand, because I am able to learn and take in as much information as possible. The English department is very supportive and kind. They are always telling me that the nerves I have are completely normal and that they experienced the same thing (and sometimes still do). I observed four other teachers and it was interesting to watch how each have their own teaching style, and the students respond differently. I really enjoy seeing them instruct a lesson, because it gives me ideas as to what my teaching style may be. I also felt really inspired watching them, because it all came so naturally to them. It is something to aspire to become, a teacher that is completely at ease in front of their students. I need to work on that still, but it will come with time.
Another great thing about my endeavors is that I am completely supported by the Albertus community. I have friends who are always checking in on me to see how it is going. I also have professors and faculty that check in on me. I think one of the greatest feelings is knowing that everyone has an unfailing faith and confidence in my abilities to be a teacher. I was given a huge compliment by my advisor; she said that I am a great teacher. Me? A teacher? I guess I am and it is hard to think of it like that, because I do not feel all that removed from being a high school student. I graduated in 2009 and there is not much of an age difference between my students. I am carrying myself in such a way that they see me as an authority.
Tonight was Back to School Night, and the parents ran through their children’s schedule. I talked a little, just saying that I have enjoyed my time with their kids thus far and I’m excited to continue to work with them. The greatest part of the night was when I was leaving I had a conversation with one of my juniors. She begged me to take control of her class and then she opened up to me about her personal life. This something that I do not take lightly, because that means I am building a trusting relationship with my students and that I could make a difference in their lives. I really am honored that this student trusted me enough to talk to me about things going on in her life; it means so much to me!
Tuesday morning is the first official day of student teaching. I will be taking control of the two freshmen classes and will be their teacher. The assignments, the lessons, the instruction… it will all be on me. I’m nervous and excited. I want to do well and I want the lesson to be successful. I have gotten to a point where I can only try my best and that will have to be enough. I will be pushing myself for the next three months: grading, teaching, creating, and still being a student myself. It will be tough. I will be stressed out, but I know that I will be able to do it with the support of everyone in my life.

I want to take moment to thank EVERYONE that has talked to me, compliments me, advised me, educated me, or even told me I couldn’t do this… this all motivates me to be better. My family and friends have been so supportive; I would not have made it this far without them. The faculty and staff at Albertus have been amazing, as well. I consider myself extremely lucky to be going through the education program at Albertus, because I’m not sure I would be having the same experience if I was a student at another school.
For now, I am going to go finish lesson plans for next week. There is always something to be done… oh, the life of a teacher!

Sick Little Student Teacher

I have been working in the high school for a week and I am already sick! Thank goodness for DayQuil… I’d be miserable without it! Major downfall… I have to miss the Welcome Back dance tonight so I can sleep!

I have found out that I will be taking over the freshmen classes on September 18th and the juniors on the 24th. There is a lot of lesson planning ahead of me! Today, one of my freshmen students came up to me and asked how long I had been at Daniel Hand. I responded, “As a student teacher, same amount of time as you!” She seemed surprised and continued. She told me about a club she was planning on starting at the school. It is called “Rachel’s Challenge,” and it is an anti-bullying group that started after Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine shooting, was killed. This student had participated in this group in middle school and wanted to continue it in the high school. She asked me if I would be the advisor for the group. It nearly broke my heart to inform her that I will only be at the high school until the end of the trimester in November. I told her that I would love to help and be a part of the group while I am at Hand. I felt very honored and proud that she thought of me. It made me realize that I am making an impact by being there. That is probably the biggest compliment I will ever be able to receive, knowing I am making a difference in the lives of my students. That is my ultimate goal, to make a difference. I am very proud of this.