RB

Today the kids were on about me posters and these little posters had like five or so different boxes of apples and each apple had a question like describe what you look like, whats your fav. place, what's one with you have, etc...

So I was working with RB (not real name) and he is the child with autism who just moved here from the Philippines and doesn't have an IEP or anything of that sort yet, meaning he doesn't even have an aid yet when he really needs one. So I was helping him on his poster and I was describing what a wish was and asking him if he could have anything in this world what would it be, etc... and I said so if you have one wish, anything you want, what would it be? His response, "H1N1 Virus" in his robotic voice. Then he wrote one of his favorite places to be was the hospital and he wants to be a doctor, nurse, judge, and school bus driver. 

During art he was drawing and drew a helicopter, a launch pad, and even an emergency exit with the cross sign on it. Then he drew an airplane with the delta logo and said it was the delta airplane, and drew an airport, and he's just so incredibly gifted which makes it hard because he won't be getting help for a while. 

I hate the school system in that sense. It's taking forever to get someone to begin testing him and giving him the help he truly needs and deserves.

Parental Pick Up

After I thought about it, I do have a particular topic I want to write about.

Parents picking up their children... Some parents are quite irresponsible and I can't help but feel bad for the children who suffer because of it. Today we had two different situations involving parental pickup.

Boy #1: He was probably in kindergarten or first grade and his backpack was one of those suitcases that says "Going to Grandma's" and it was 2:15 and there wasn't a parent in site. Finally his teacher decides to call home and the first time no answer and so she calls another number and finally someone picks up and says they are coming. Did they forget there son was in school??? It didn't seem like they were at work and when someone finally came to pick him up it was about 2:30 and there were two adults and a teenager who came to get him in one vehicle. The boy was great and sat quietly and barely said a word but I felt so bad. 

Boy #2: He is an autistic student in my classroom who just moved here from the Philippines. He was just added to the roster yesterday and his parents picked him and his brother up yesterday and dropped them off. They were late coming to pick him up yesterday so when they weren't out there right away we weren't too worried. We were a bit concerned when we couldn't find his older brother in the fifth grade and around 2:15 we went to the office. The principal contacted the older brothers teacher who had no idea if he went in the bus line or walkers line, the secretary had to try to get in touch with all the bus drivers and ask for this boys name. Finally, around 2:20 the boys mom calls asking where her other child was. The principal asked if she could drive him home and my teacher went with her and it was all just so chaotic. It was rough because we thought we lost one kid, the other child is crying in the office, and it was just rough. It was a big mix up and should have been clarified yesterday and the parents were very unclear of what they wanted to be done and why didn't the 5th grade boy stop the bus driver or say my brother isn't on yet or something. I know the 5th grade boy is not responsible though but I feel like teachers are babysitters 90% of the time and it's just frustrating. 

I felt bad for both students in this situation ESPECIALLY since it was only the second day of school and they are so young and helpless. 

Am I really cut out to be a teacher? The patience teachers have is simply amazing.

The Second Day

I am bad at titles... I wish I one particular topic in mind that I actually wanted to blog about, oh well.

Today was the second day of student teaching and it was MUCH better than yesterday. I felt a lot better on my drive home today than I did yesterday but am still dreading the 58 more days. I think part of the reason I feel this way is mainly cause I am busting my butt and up at an early hour and pulling a full teacher day but am not getting credit for it. I mean it does obviously count at WIU and I get a S/US depending on how I do and I will work towards the Satisfactory and hopefully will pass and be a teacher asap, but it feels like a bunch of free work that I am paying to do! I am paying 12 credit hours worth of tuition to be helping out a teacher! Then at the end of my 12 weeks she gets paid for mentoring me!! *sigh*

Anyway I can say that I am learning a lot and seeing all the sides of being a teacher that are not so fun. I like my mentor teacher but I also feel like she doesn't have a real bond or connection with her students. Of course it's only the second day of school but I feel like she doesn't really try to get to know them which is a bit annoying. However, it is only Day 2 and I know nothing about her so can't judge this quickly.

Tomorrow from 11:15-1:50 they are busy with Lunch, Gym, Music, and Art! That means a nice, chill afternoon (hopefully). I am definitely looking forward to the weekend. It felt like such a long week even though I've only gone there for half the week...

I don't know how I am going to do 58 more days (actually 56 because I get credit for two days I won't actually be there).. what a great feeling, ha ha.

First Day of School!

I've officially begun student teaching and this is the final lap before I can finally be a teacher! I am working with third graders again which is a little disappointing because I was expecting first graders and just had third graders last semester but that is okay. 

Today was the first day of school and it was BEYOND hectic/crazy and that is putting it lightly. I felt like everyone was going crazy and running around like chickens with their heads cut off! It was an exhausting and overwhelming first day and I felt ridiculously tired on my way home. I also officially began a last day of student teaching countdown :) 59 days to go!

Of course the students were great and seem very nice and my mentor teacher also seems very experienced and willing to help in anyway which is great.

I'm sure this is a day I won't forget and when I'm reading this ten years from now I'll probably laugh at how dramatic I was being... or be relieved that it only did get better (hopefully). 

I am anxious for the school year to begin now and for things to just begin. The first days of school are always going over rules, assemblies, tornado/fire drills, everyone is scatter brained and I feel like teachers have to figure out every single thing. Today my teacher got two kids put on her attendance list when she walked into the building this morning so had to go make a bunch of name tags for them, a few kids didn't know how they were getting home, one didn't pay for lunch money correctly, and things were just chaotic which is expected. It's frustrating that everything is her responsibility when really most of these issues were the parents fault. 

But tomorrow is a new day and hopefully it won't be as crazy. I need comfier shoes also because we barely sat down all day!