I am beyond sad to say goodbye to my students, Rehoboth, and this community. I have had such a positive experience teaching and living here in New Mexico. God knew what He was doing and he prepared an amazing place and placement for me. I am extremely thankful for God's faithfulness in my life and through this chapter of it.
This week Monday was President's day, so we had no school. This meant I had a nice long weekend for one last trip! I headed to Moab, Utah to visit Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. I saw the most beautiful scenery... "arch" you jealous?
As far as teaching goes, I taught majority of the subjects still, but slowly had my cooperating teacher come back into the classroom and help me teach in order to transition him back into teaching. We have done a little bit of co-teaching together as we have done this switch.
This week in reading class, we are watching the movie Holes because we finished up the book last week. The girls are giggling along with the movie as they remember certain parts of the book and how specific things are "ironic". We really focused on how the book is ironic, so this is fun to see them making the connections for a second time.
In math, I am wrapping up some of the partner projects I had them do and begin studying for the test we will be having on Friday of this week. I had the students do an exit slip about how they liked the project or disliked the project. Majority of the students enjoyed it and thought that it helped them understand math from a real world perspective, but a few were not a fan of doing projects in math class. I found this very interesting.
I have been helping out with Track and Field after school each day in the high school, but on Tuesday I ran into Kelly who was frantically looking for someone to coach 4th and 5th grade basketball at their game that day. I jumped in and took over and coached basketball. Boy was it crazy, but a lot of fun! I was able to experience a whole new world of coaching, especially because this was my first time with these kids before and I did not know them.
This week I was also able to do a mock interview with Principal Chris Huizinga. This was such a positive experience! I was very excited to be able to have the opportunity to practice being in an interview. I think that it went very well. He asked me a lot of questions that related to Rehoboth, which was helpful because I had a lot to say about Rehoboth seeing as I have been teaching here for the last 7 weeks. I am realizing that I will not have this advantage in most interviews.
Last day.
On my last day we had a party! I gave my teacher a thank-you candy card and my students cookies. We ate tons of food and so much more. The students gave me gifts they had prepared for me. One student put together a whole book about the Navajo culture, another bought me my favorite candy, another made me a necklace and earrings that are often sold at the flea market, and another brought me in mutton and made me try it. Here is my reaction...
Today was a bittersweet day. I got so many hugs from students and many pleaded for me to stay. My cooperating teacher, Nick, wrote me a really nice letter and got me some of my favorite burritos. Boy does he know me well. I am beyond thankful that I had the opportunity for such a hard goodbye. God is so good!
Tears in my eyes and a piece of my heart will always be with this school and these kiddos. I guess I will return back to Trinity, but only with hopes of returning!
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteIt was great to read your post and see how God has used this experience to expand your horizons and also help you grow professionally.
Your trip last week to Utah sounded awesome! Yes, I'm very jealous. It sounds like this week was quite fulfilling and eventful. I'm sure it was interesting to coach a team you hadn't met before! Oh my!
I think the mock interview was a great idea. I loved reading about all the things your class did for you as a way to say good bye for now.
I'm happy you had such a great experience. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
Dr. Meyer
Thanks for letting me take a peek at your blog Jessica - Any teacher can probably relate to the joy of teaching a group of students (and even forgetting - and forgiving - some of the challenges that they put you through.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you can now relate more genuinely with this little parable I like to share with student-teachers:
A parable about teaching
Then Jesus took his disciples up the mountain, and gathering them about him, he taught them saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst…
But Simon Peter blurted out, “Do we have to write this down?”
And Andrew said, “Are we supposed to know this?”
And James said, “I don’t have any papyrus with me.”
And Philip said, “Will this be on the test?”
And Bartholomew said, “Do we have to turn this in?”
And John said, “The other disciples didn’t have to learn this.”
And Matthew said, “Can I be excused to go to the bathroom?”
And Thomas said, “Can this be proven scientifically?”
And the other James said, “James wore my sandals home yesterday.”
And Judas said, “What does this have to do with the real world?”
And Simon the Zealot said, “Why can’t you guys pay attention?”
But Thaddeus didn’t hear him because he was writing a note to Martha.
Then one of the Pharisees who was observing asked to see Jesus’ lesson plan and inquired: Is this lesson aligned with state standards? Does it address multiple intelligences? Where are your objectives in the cognitive domain?”
And Jesus wept.
BLESSINGS AS YOU BEGIN YOUR NEW PLACEMENT!