This semester is my last true college semester and it is
almost over. Next semester I will be student teaching, taking my last class
ever as an undergrad, and preparing for job interviews. I would be lying if I said
this semester has been all smooth sailing, easy breezy, all fun and games. Like
every other semester, this one has had its fair share of ups and downs. Some
days, I’m like “heck yeah I’m graduating and entering the real world soon…bring
it on!” Other days I’m an emotional mess because this chapter of my journey is
coming to a close and I’m not ready to leave yet. Through all of the laughter,
smiles, and tears, there is something that has provided constant joy in my
life. That would be a group of about 60 third graders.
Before student teaching, I had to complete a
practicum/internship semester in a school all day every Tuesday. I was placed
in a third grade English Language Arts class at a local elementary school. My
cooperating teacher and partner were nothing short of incredible. When my
experience began, I knew it would be fun, and rewarding, and that I would grow
a lot as an educator, but I did not know just how much of an impact the kids
would have on me. So here is a little letter to the third graders who stole my
heart.
Thank you. Thank you for letting me teach you. Thank you for
letting me learn alongside you. Thank you for being patient with me when I was
trying to figure out the best way to deliver instruction and explain something
you did not understand. Thank you for forgiving me when I failed. Thank you for
treating me with respect. Thank you for laughing at my jokes even when they
probably weren’t very funny. Thank you for testing me and challenging me to
become a better teacher, mentor, and human being. Thank you for the countless
hugs and smiles; they really brightened my day. But most importantly, thank you
for loving me so well. Who knew that a group of eight and nine year olds had so
much love to give?
Each one of you is special. Each one of you is important.
Each one of you is smart and capable of amazing things. I really believe that.
I want you all to continue working hard, helping each other out, learning as
much as you can, and becoming the best person you can be.
And to my cooperating teacher, thank you for everything. I
learned so much by watching you teach, observing your interactions with
students, and just talking with you. You were always so encouraging and gave
really good feedback. I grew in so many ways this semester and I will be
forever grateful. At the start of this semester, I was excited to be back in
the classroom, but I had some doubts about my abilities to teach a whole group
(or in this case three very different groups) of students. I was afraid they
would not listen to me and I would epicly fail in the area of classroom
management, but through your mentorship, I finished the semester confident in
my abilities and ready to take on student teaching. I just can’t thank you enough.
Tuesdays were easily my favorite day each week. No matter
how tired I was or how stressed about an upcoming project I was, each Tuesday,
I got up, excited for another day in third grade. Sometimes stars just align
and I think maybe that was God’s way of calming my fears and reminding me that
I am 100 percent supposed to be a teacher and I can indeed do this. So He
deserves a BIG Thank You as well.
Have a great rest of the week and enjoy this holiday season!
Yours Truly,
Steph
