Weigh loss update: Yesterday afternoon I weighed in and I was 2 pounds lighter! This puts me right around the 50 pound mark and next week on my 16th week in the program I should hit 50 pounds :)
Today I am going to focus my blog on Student Teaching because I have received a lot of questions about it. I am glad to see how many of you actually care about what I am doing and take the time to ask me about it. I am going to post some common questions and then I will give the answer to them afterward.
Q: Where are you student teaching? What grade are you teaching? What Subject are you teaching?
A: Currently I am on week 3 at Monticello Middle School. I teach 7th grade U.S. History and in a couple of days I am taking over the classroom and teaching students about the Civil War.
Q: How many hours a week do you student teach? Do you take any classes while you student teach?
A: Essentially, student teaching is a full time job. I am there from 7:15-3:30 every day. I don't take any other classes but I do try to work at Broadway a couple days a week for some money.
Q: They don't pay you for student teaching right?
A: No. Essentially I am paying a full tuition at Saint John's and so technically I am paying to student teach. (Thanks Grandpa!) I work at Broadway (usually on weekends) because I am not so tired from working all day. Also, naps have been added to my life. I never used to take naps but since I have trouble falling asleep at night, I am usually tired by 4 when I get home.
Q: 7th grade? That has to be a tough age level right?
A: The students at Monticello are really great! Obviously some students behave better than others but they respect me as a person and so I respect them as well. I haven't had to deal with any huge discipline issues, but if they do arise I believe the students will be able to handle them respectfully. Just like we were in middle school, Monticello has "The Attention Getter" "The Troublemaker" "The Smart Kids" "I'm too cool to care about my grades" and every other student that any other middle school has. The challenge is to try to focus your teaching to every personality so that all of them have the resources to be successful.
Q: How many weeks do you student teach?
A: I spend 8 weeks at the Middle School and then I move over to Monticello High School. Once I am there, I will teach 8 more weeks in 9th grade Civics and Government.
Q: What is your favorite part about student teaching?
A: Since I can remember I have wanted to be a teacher and so the fact that I am essentially doing that right now is amazing. The staff at Monticello Middle School is also incredible to work with. They have already helped me become a better educator. Also, Monticello Middle School has 20 minutes devoted to reading every single day and I love being able to get nose deep into a book every day. It really benefits the students as well. I am currently reading "Killing Kennedy" and think that it is absolutely amazing.
Q: After you are done student teaching, do you automatically have your license?
A: This question is kind of tough. I have 2 tests to take through MTLE, which is through the state. I have to pass both of those and complete all of my students teaching assignments as well. There seems like a never ending lists of things that I have to do but slowly and surely I am taking them down one-by-one. Once I get my license and receive a job I will go back to school to obtain a Master's Degree (Bucket list item).
Q: Where do you plan on teaching once you get your license?
A: Honestly, anywhere around the Rogers/Elk River/Monticello/Buffalo/Saint Michael area would be great! I want to live in Rogers or surrounding area for the rest of my life and it would be nice to not have to commute so far every day. The ISD 728 Elk River District was amazing to me growing up so it would be nice to give back to students there. Also, I do love this district I am in right now but essentially I am going to have to see what positions open up and apply everywhere that I can. Hopefully someone will give me an opportunity and allow me to show them what I have to offer as an educator.
Q: If you don't get a job right out of college what are you going to do?
A: I honestly feel like I have so many options if I can't teach right out of college. I can substitute and hope to impress administration that way. I also could work with my Dad and do things in the office and help with weddings. I also could go back to school and try to get a different degree. If I was going to go back to school, I would go to the U of M for Journalism. I have always wanted to be a writer (hence why I am writing this). Essentially having my own classroom right out of college is my ultimate goal.
Like I said, I don't mind answering these questions over and over because it shows that people care about what I am doing. This blog was a way to show people who don't see me what I am up to and how much I truly love this experience so far. Thanks to everyone who continues to support me every single day. I honestly could never show all of you how much it means to me.
Until next time,
-J-
