Ahhh where to start. Perhaps I shall start with my very first morning. Although I got up at before 5:00 a.m. to be sure to be on time to Selinsgrove High School where I am placed (which is over an hour from my house), nothing too eventful occurred until approximately 7:25 a.m. when I, as I have done thousands upon thousands of times before, attempted to get out of my vehicle upon reaching my destination. Being that the weather has been especially balmy this week in NE/Central PA, the surface of the parking lot where I was told to park was not unlike a skating rink. I, being the bright, conscientious individual that I like to think I am, carefully surveyed where I parked and was 100% certain that the surface was simply plowed, somewhat soft, snow (rather than the 0-friction ice that it turned out to be.)
No doubt you can tell where this is going, so I'll cut to the chase...I energetically hopped out of my truck, left foot first, quickly followed by the right, only to find that my carefully surveyed parking spot was not so wisely selected after all. Without so much as a fleeting hope of preserving my footing, BOTH of my feet led my legs to become horizontal to the ground, landing me square on my rear end (keep in mind I have not even had contact with Selinsgrove "soil" for a single second of my first week yet.) Luckily, I was early to the school that day so there was only one other woman in the parking lot, and she was blocked from sight by a couple vehicles...the first of which was a pickup truck of which I almost kicked the door in when I so ungracefully "bit it" as they say. Miraculously I managed not to split the rear out of my pants, nor did I dirty myself...both of which I was certain happened to me in the midst of the chaotic opening seconds of my arrival.
Oh, but there's more! I managed to stand up, feeling rather like a child who hadn't quite learned how to walk without hanging onto something secure. I opened my back door to pull out my briefcase and other necessities, only to be greeted by my lunch bag which appeared to have been projected from my back seat onto the solid ice underfoot. At this point I was in such disbelief that I silently and sarcastically rejoiced, pumping my fists and quietly saying "OH YESSSS!!!"......I was off to a spectacular start. The only disappointing aspect from that whole chaotic, potentially embarrassing situation, was that no one was around to witness my awesome skill.
Beyond those first few minutes, everything for the rest of the week has gone "according to plan." I've been learning my student's names, working hand-in-hand with my co-op by grading papers, taking attendance, compiling resources, and gathering ideas for how to connect with my students through the content I will be presenting. It has been a wonderful learning experience already, and I have greatly enjoyed working with the students. I'm now referred to as "Mr. D" on a regular basis, (or any other number of names for that matter,) which range from "Mr. Schwarzenegger Jr. Sir" to "Mr. Bodyguard Man" (being that Mrs. Gavitt refers to me as her bodyguard) if they can't remember "Mr. D." I am eager for the upcoming weeks, and although I am very eager for April 29th, I have been enjoying myself thus far, and anticipate a wonderfully beneficial and enjoyable semester overall.
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Rich, I definitely had an experience like you. All the kids for some reason have a hard time with my last name so I am referred to as "Mr. C". It's definitely eye-opening once you get out and start working with the kids and makes it very enjoyable, even if you did have a rough start to the week. At least you're ok! The good ,maybe bad thing, about that is not many people were around to see you, that could have been interesting. Hope you have a good second week.
ReplyDeleteYou have always been smoooooooth but that's the best! What a way to start your student teaching experience! But you survived it... and if you survived that day you can survive anything! And that may be the lesson you need to remember when you have a bad day. But, it sounds like you already have the students' attention and are well on your way to earning their respect too. Just don't let them see your parking lot ballet!
ReplyDeleteI definately feel bad for you and what happened your first day. I would have been so completely embaressed if that were to happen to me. I am happy that the rest of the week went as planned with your student teaching and you were able to get over the first moments of your arival at the school. I am sure every thing will continue to go as planned for you in the next fifteen weeks also.
ReplyDeleteHa, Rich I can so see this happening to me as well. However, I was really expecting the story to end with a cast as mine probably would have. Anyway, Glad you have had a good first week.
ReplyDeleteRich -
ReplyDeleteThis has to be the funniest blog posting! I guarantee it that you will never forget those first moments of your student teaching experience. Finding the "fun" in everything and being able to laugh at yourself will make you a great teacher. Students like to see the human side of us...it sounds a little silly to write that but I'm sure you can remember teachers in your past that never came down off the pedestal. That's such a shame for the students. There is so much we can teach them; not only in content, but also, so much in life!
For your posting, I'm inserting a link of Teacher Cartoons....scroll down to the second cartoon. I'm glad you didn't end up like this!
http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/f/falling_apart.asp
Enjoy!