Teacher Workday

Before I get into the exciting deets of today's Teacher Workday, I'd like to share a piece of the devotional I read today in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.
"I am creating something new in you; a bubbling spring of Joy that spills over into others' lives. Do not mistake this Joy for your own or try to take credit for it in any way. Instead, watch in delight as My spirit flows through you to bless others."
For those of you unfamiliar with Jesus Calling, it is a book of daily devotionals written "from God to you". I thought today's devotional was tailored to where I am in my life today. In general, but even more so after today's workday, I am so filled with a joy and excitement about working with students. I know without a doubt that teaching is what I'm meant to do. As corny as it sounds, I do believe I've found my "calling".

I've been really blessed with an awesome mentor for my time as a summer school intern. I was so pleasantly surprised to find out that she wanted to hear my ideas and listened to any input I gave. I was even more surprised when she told me that I would pretty much be doing the majority of the actual teaching. In fact, I teach my first classroom lesson (ever!) tomorrow afternoon. My mentor will model the day's lesson with the morning group and then she's going to turn the reins over to me with the afternoon group! I have to admit that I'm a little nervous, but at the same time I am SO excited. This is such an amazing opportunity for me as an education major. I can tell already I'm going to get great experience and learn a lot from my wonderful mentor.

Today, my mentor asked me to write tomorrow's objectives on the dry erase board, so we could check that off the list. This is such a simple, "teachery" task that I didn't think anything of it and obediently went over and began to do as she'd asked. After writing the first two objectives on the board it hit me, this is for real. I'm not just playing "teacher" in my mommy's classroom at Travis or Frost Elementary. I'm actually going to be these kiddos' teacher (or intern). Suddenly, the silly, simple task of writing on the dry erase board became much more important and symbolic to me. I'm making my dreams become a reality. I'm growing up. This is for real! Eeek! :)

I can't wait to meet my 23 students tomorrow! I look forward to this journey we'll take together over the next 12 days. With any luck, we will all learn something and look back on it as a good, positive experience!

Like I've already said, I'm keeping this blog for an number of reasons:

#1 I want to share my exciting experiences with everyone and this is a fun way to do that!
#2 These posts serve as a fun and different type of journal that I can look back on (and remind myself why I got myself into this! hehe)
#3 I loved blogging last summer about my semester in Paris and I have to admit I'm having withdrawls...I miss it! (I'm sure ya'll do too....right?!) :)

You may be weary about reading this, because its not about a fabulous month in Paris, France. However, let me just say that if you know anything about 8th graders/almost Freshmen you know I'm going to have A LOT of interesting stories :]