Full-Time

Last week I started working full time with all of my mentor teacher's classes. Standing up and teaching every day has been difficult but I'm getting used to it. So far, however, both the seventh and eighth graders spend most of class time working in a lab. The Eighth graders are finishing up their last sewing project this week, and the Seventh graders just finished learning how to use Microsoft Excel. 

Seventh Graders: 

The first class of 7th graders is a pack of angels. There are only about 26 of them, and they're quiet, attentive, and are very productive in the computer lab. The other two classes, aren't quite as hard-working. There are about 35 kids in each of them, and it seems that everyone has at least a couple friends in there that they talk to. Constantly. 

The first class of the day is always the guinea pig. I'm not as efficient in that class, but it works, because it's such a small class and they work with me really well. As the day goes on, I find myself feeling more comfortable, making more jokes, and the kids get more time in the lab. 

Eighth Graders:

Strangely, my most productive class is the last class of the day. There are 36 kids in there, and it's chaos when I have half of them waiting to ask questions on their project at my desk. It's ridiculous that even though I give all my classes a step-by-step guide sheet, they still manage to be clueless as to what they should be doing... 

Long story short, student teaching is hard. It would honestly, be less stressful if I didn't have to do a teacher work sample in addition to writing lesson plans, teaching each day, etc. etc. Dealing with a mentor teacher isn't the greatest either. 

Today I had a hard time after receiving a lecture on how to instruct my classes better, that I shouldn't let them talk, like ever (even though it doesn't bother me in certain circumstances) and how to manage them, follow through, and discipline when necessary. I hear this same stuff every day, and sometimes it's just hard to receive criticism. EVERY. DAY. 

There are days that I'm practically in tears, thinking to myself how I've failed. Reminding myself that that's what a mentor is for. Trying to think of ways that I can fix all the problems in the world, all at once. It's overwhelming sometimes, but when it's in the middle of class I just practice my acting skills for the kids, because they have no idea all that teachers put into a single lesson. But as soon as the bell rings for them to leave, sometimes I just lose it. 

The only way I have been able to get through the last 4 weeks is by texting my husband through the day, and of course, constant prayer. God has helped me through so much. Even if it's just for comfort, or a clear mind so I can rethink my teaching strategies. He is always there. 

I couldn't do this without Him.