Beyond this blog, however, I have also neglected a lot of other things. I've not seen my friends lately, I've not gone to ballet as often as I should (I'm currently at a 50% rate in attendance there), and I'm going to bed between 9-10 most nights. It's totally worth it, though! I miss the people who I'm used to seeing in my life, but I love waking up each day and going to school. I love working with the students, I love the moments of connection I have with them (both on personal levels and helping them understand their work- the latter however is the most rewarding feeing of my life).
There are a few things I feel I should update on just to keep track of.
I'm only teaching occasionally. I generally get a chance to teach our last two classes of the day, which is so interesting. Sixth hour is huge and takes so long to settle down that they get much less done than the other classes. They do generally, however, get all of their work done. It just takes a bit longer. Seventh hour is our smallest class (today, in fact, we got a new student pushing the number of kids to 21). They get things done rather quickly and ask some of the most amazing questions.
It's fun to see how classes differ. Not only these two, but also with our first two classes of the day. All four are different in what they need, how they learn, how much they participate, etc. Each class is really amazing and it varies so much that I feel I'm getting a great idea of the ways to work with students and classes, as well as the stresses that come with this job.
Twice so far in the semester my CT has been absent. Legally we've needed a substitute in the room, but I've taught all four classes both of these days while the substitutes were there. It's gone well. I love seeing how one can iron out the hiccups in a lesson as the day goes on. I love seeing the participation and fine tuning my own teaching through the day.
Overall, this experience so far has been amazing. I'm tired and sometimes stressed, but I'm getting a better hold on what to do, how to manage and organize, and how to find time for myself.
I really do love this. I love teaching, I love helping, and I love that I've discovered the ability to stand in a room in front of people and speak. All of the staff in the school that I've run into have been wonderful. My CT gives me an incredible amount of helpful hints and tips to teaching.
I honestly can say that, through the stress and exhaustion, I have no complaints.
