done

After a really insane quarter, I made it to the end of my first year at Western. There were some overwhelming moments (especially in the last couple weeks) when I thought the end would never come, but I have officially completed all coursework and tests- thank you, early finals!

Even though I spent the majority of it complaining, I got a lot out of this quarter. I took an intro to teaching class that placed me in a first-grade classroom once a week in addition to the instruction on campus. Practically drowning in assignments, I didn't realize the value of everything I ended up doing until yesterday. I had to plan and teach various lessons, test students to see if they were at grade-level, learn and apply behavior and classroom management skills, construct a bond with a class, relate every detail of what I observed and participated in to articles I was reading about education and teaching and state standards and lesson-planning..... (I tried making a list of everything I had to do in one week for this class, and it was so overwhelmingly long that I gave up). All of this was supposed to happen in 8 days of being with these students. Somehow it was all accomplished, although I'm still figuring that one out... haha.

So yesterday was my last day in the class with the kids, and my heart was broken by 26 first graders asking me not to go (I keep hearing that I'm good with kids, so I'm hoping this is true and all of you aren't just lying to be nice!). That ,paired with the feedback I got from my CT (cooperating teacher, the one I was observing), reassured me that this is what I want to be doing with my life. Kids are at time disgusting, annoying, frustrating, loud, needy... They're unpredictable and insane, I'll be the first to admit. Something about them is inspiring and intriguing though. They have to trust those around them to guide them down the right path, they have so much potential, they're creative and silly and fun to be around. They have the biggest imaginations and can create whole new worlds to play in. Tell me that's not incredible! 

Anyway, moving on..... It's weird to think my "first" year at college is over. I'm definitely ready for a break though. Fingers crossed the sun and warm weather comes back soon. 

I'll update again soon with some pictures of the process of packing up my dorm room and whatnot. I've also been experimenting with a new photo editing program, so I'll post some of the outcomes. I'm just too lazy to find all the correct files at the moment. 

<3