Only a few weeks into student teaching and I am already having a few thoughts jumble up in my head. Which usually means I need to express them. So, whether you are currently a student teacher, might someday be a student teacher, or have no desire to ever come near student teaching (which is the wisest choice), I think we can all take a little away from the following:
1. Have an ally
Throughout the education program, we talk a lot about being an ally to our peers and our students. While that is all well and good, I think there is a lot more to be said about having an ally. Student teaching is stressful. Not only are you emotionally invested in every kid who walks through the door (which is like having your heart walk around the classroom vulnerably....NOT easy), but you are constantly critiqued on how those relationships pan out and how well you are setting these kids up for success. People pleasers of the world: this will be your living nightmare.
Allow yourself to trust a few people outside of school that you can just dish to. You can complain about your lesson, your students, or your evaluations in absolute confidence that they will support you and help you. For me, my main allies are my family members, my professor, and my student teaching cohorts. They keep me sane
2. Allow yourself to love what you do
Almost every teacher I have talked to has offered a warning about being too invested in the kids, and seem to almost constantly berate the teaching profession. They will try to convince you that paperwork is so exponential that it is impossible to teach, that students don't care, and that you can never really change the lives of your kids (uh, hello, ever seen Freedom Writers?!).
Despite the fact that you work with a whole bunch of people with sticks up their....lesson plans...YOU can LOVE what you do. While often time these joys will be expressed quietly (to avoid the inevitable scolding for when you find yourself swept up in the joy of teaching), find a way to enjoy what you do. You are too young and too motivated to be jaded just yet. Your positivity brings a heck of a lot of fun to the classroom. So let your heart ride the teaching roller-coaster.
3. Your joy is not dependent on the satisfaction of others
I had the strangest experience recently where I received positive feedback from an evaluation, got super excited about it, and then when we reconvened, this same person sort of knocked me down a few pegs. I have since tried to understand why this person would do that (were they afraid I was too confident? Did they reflect and realize I really am crappy? Huh?) I have decided that the best I can do is to acknowledge the feedback and move on.
There will be dozens of people in this world that will try to make you feel small or inadequate for not living up to their expectations. These people are not worth the time and energy to please! And while I do not believe this person was trying to hurt my feelings, I cannot allow his passing critiques to become my obsession. Instead [saying this to myself as well!], take what you can learn from and LEAVE the rest. Find joy in what you do, and do it well.
And while I may seem completely confident in my ability, inside my head I am TOTALLY not. From this I have learned that I need to be more careful to how I treat others. Even those who seem like they have it all put together need support and recognition.
XOXOX
Monday, September 22, 2014
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Finding Our Callings
Excuse the lack of posts these past couple months, the Askham family has been "enjoying" several changes that have come our way recently!
After driving a 15 year-old-plus car as our ONLY car for about 5 months, and saving and budgeting every penny carefully, Derek and I were finally able to move up in car!
This has been such a huge blessing for us. For my student teaching, I have to drive about 70 miles a day, so it is awesome to have a reliable car that I feel safe in during my commute. And for Derek, he finally has some wheels that are ALMOST as cool as he is :) With our new car purchases, we had to say goodbye to an old friend, my blue Pontiac Sunfire. My Dad was kind enough to sell it on Craigslist for us after we left the area, and it went to a good home! All in all, we came in under budget and we are both really proud of ourselves for the long hours we worked to get here!
This semester has already proved to be a busy one, as both Derek and I work to tie any loose ends on our degrees. Currently I am student teaching in a small middle school about an hour away from the University. It has been a challenge in many respects, but ironically, teaching has been the EASIEST part. The most stressful aspect has really been building relationships with so many people that are going to be the gatekeepers to my career! Sometimes I feel inadequate, but I am trying to remember I am just beginning a career. I have plenty of time to improve!
Derek still has a little over a year left on his degree, but he is also working hard on securing an internship for the Summer. In so doing, he keeps pretty busy studying, working on resumes, attending school, and also being our soul breadwinner for the semester. He is just rockin' it! Typically, we wake up around 6 am, we leave for school and work, we get home between 5 or 6, we eat, Derek goes to meetings or studies and I work on lesson plans, and by the time 9:30 rolls around, we head to bed. It seems like an impossible life, but Derek and I have both felt energetic and motivated, sustained by power we know must be from God.
Adding to our fun changes has been my recent call to be second counselor in our ward's Relief Society! I was really shocked (I even asked the new RS president when I first met her if she was sure she meant ME. She said she was! haha) but now that it is starting to sink in a little, I feel great peace in knowing that "Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." The ladies I get to work with are just SO awesome. We are still working to get things running smoothly, but I have no doubt that we will be able to unify and be a great power for good in our ward and community.
As I have reflected on all of these changes as well as my emotions, I was surprised to find that I feel more motivated, enthusiastic, and energetic than before. While there are so many wonderful things going on that I feel I can attribute this too, "finding my calling" kept coming to mind. Though I know there will be stressful days ahead, I feel that we come alive when we are doing what God has called us to do. Whether its working hard with a spouse to get in control of finances, educating ourselves, serving in our church or community capacities, or following a lifetime's worth of promptings as we start new careers, I believe God blesses us for those efforts. He says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” While often times we hear this scripture and think to "come to Him" through prayer and sacrifice, I am finding that we "come to Him" much faster on our feet serving than we do on our knees (which is good because if I get down on my knees to say a prayer I will probably fall asleep!).
I am really excited to be able to see these blessings in my life and I am thrilled to serve others and build some character :)
In conclusion, I thought I would share a little message! Over a year ago, I had a professor tell us to write little notes to ourselves in the future. I don't actually remember too much about writing it, but I remember I wanted it to be something encouraging to read when I started student teaching. This week, I got my little letter in the mail and it made me so happy! Although I directed it to myself at the time, I feel it is something that can apply to all of us in some respect. I am posting a small excerpt below...So read, and enjoy!
"...The best example of teaching I will ever have is Christ. His love, patience, and encouragement is the way to help others. You may be working furiously on your edTPA right now, but remember there is always more to life than paperwork. Having the example is the key!
There is a deeper purpose than a grade, a certification, or a job. The greatest thing I will ever do in life will be my opportunity to bring beautiful children into this world with my husband. Second to that only, is to help raise other children. With the latter, my goal goes beyond content or standards or state testing. My goal is to bring light and love into the world. Never be afraid to show love. Even if some are failing in content, through love they will know that they are not failing this life. Love, patience, and encouragement always.
You are blessed more than you know....You can do anything. So go and TEACH!"
After driving a 15 year-old-plus car as our ONLY car for about 5 months, and saving and budgeting every penny carefully, Derek and I were finally able to move up in car!
 |
| For me, a 2004 Suzuki Aerio |
 |
| And for Derek, a sporty little 2001 Mercury Cougar |
This semester has already proved to be a busy one, as both Derek and I work to tie any loose ends on our degrees. Currently I am student teaching in a small middle school about an hour away from the University. It has been a challenge in many respects, but ironically, teaching has been the EASIEST part. The most stressful aspect has really been building relationships with so many people that are going to be the gatekeepers to my career! Sometimes I feel inadequate, but I am trying to remember I am just beginning a career. I have plenty of time to improve!
Derek still has a little over a year left on his degree, but he is also working hard on securing an internship for the Summer. In so doing, he keeps pretty busy studying, working on resumes, attending school, and also being our soul breadwinner for the semester. He is just rockin' it! Typically, we wake up around 6 am, we leave for school and work, we get home between 5 or 6, we eat, Derek goes to meetings or studies and I work on lesson plans, and by the time 9:30 rolls around, we head to bed. It seems like an impossible life, but Derek and I have both felt energetic and motivated, sustained by power we know must be from God.
Adding to our fun changes has been my recent call to be second counselor in our ward's Relief Society! I was really shocked (I even asked the new RS president when I first met her if she was sure she meant ME. She said she was! haha) but now that it is starting to sink in a little, I feel great peace in knowing that "Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." The ladies I get to work with are just SO awesome. We are still working to get things running smoothly, but I have no doubt that we will be able to unify and be a great power for good in our ward and community.
As I have reflected on all of these changes as well as my emotions, I was surprised to find that I feel more motivated, enthusiastic, and energetic than before. While there are so many wonderful things going on that I feel I can attribute this too, "finding my calling" kept coming to mind. Though I know there will be stressful days ahead, I feel that we come alive when we are doing what God has called us to do. Whether its working hard with a spouse to get in control of finances, educating ourselves, serving in our church or community capacities, or following a lifetime's worth of promptings as we start new careers, I believe God blesses us for those efforts. He says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” While often times we hear this scripture and think to "come to Him" through prayer and sacrifice, I am finding that we "come to Him" much faster on our feet serving than we do on our knees (which is good because if I get down on my knees to say a prayer I will probably fall asleep!).
I am really excited to be able to see these blessings in my life and I am thrilled to serve others and build some character :)
In conclusion, I thought I would share a little message! Over a year ago, I had a professor tell us to write little notes to ourselves in the future. I don't actually remember too much about writing it, but I remember I wanted it to be something encouraging to read when I started student teaching. This week, I got my little letter in the mail and it made me so happy! Although I directed it to myself at the time, I feel it is something that can apply to all of us in some respect. I am posting a small excerpt below...So read, and enjoy!
"...The best example of teaching I will ever have is Christ. His love, patience, and encouragement is the way to help others. You may be working furiously on your edTPA right now, but remember there is always more to life than paperwork. Having the example is the key!
There is a deeper purpose than a grade, a certification, or a job. The greatest thing I will ever do in life will be my opportunity to bring beautiful children into this world with my husband. Second to that only, is to help raise other children. With the latter, my goal goes beyond content or standards or state testing. My goal is to bring light and love into the world. Never be afraid to show love. Even if some are failing in content, through love they will know that they are not failing this life. Love, patience, and encouragement always.
You are blessed more than you know....You can do anything. So go and TEACH!"
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