As I sit here and reflect on this
entire experience, I am overcome with emotions. I am beyond blessed that I had
the opportunity to student teach at Elizabethtown with Mr. Anderson and work
with his students. I am so sad that these 15 weeks are over and my student
teaching experience has come to a close. I am anxious to see what lies in store
for me next; they always say when one door closes, another one opens. Most of
all, I feel whole. I have a lifetime of memories I will carry with me for the
rest of my life. I have figured out my purpose in life and have grown into the
young professional I was meant to become.
I can’t help but think back to the
beginning of this entire process. I began contacting and visiting schools in
March of 2014. I visited four schools and selected my top three; none of them
being Elizabethtown. In fact, I didn’t know anything about Elizabethtown! As
April rolled around and our student teaching placements were announced, I was
very surprised to learn that I had been placed at Elizabethtown. I was actually
more than surprised…I was angry and upset! How could they place me at a school
I knew nothing about without any prior warning?! Why were all three of my top
choices given to other student teachers and not me?! I cried the day I found
out and in turn was dreading student teaching. I shouldn’t admit this but I had
even considered dropping my major I was that upset!
I now realize how extremely foolish
I was at that time. After visiting Elizabethtown for the first time in April of
2014, I knew that I could not have had a better placement! Mr. Anderson is one
of the most down to earth, realistic, hardworking, kind hearted, and funniest
individuals I know. We had a great connection from the start and I quickly
realized how much I was looking forward to student teaching. He has helped me
in more ways than he even realizes throughout this entire experience. He has
helped me grow and prosper as a student teacher and even more so as a person.
He has provided me with advice, personal experience, honest opinions, and
friendship. We have shared so many laughs and jokes together; ones that have
helped me get through stressful times that come with student teaching. He truly
is a selfless, inspiring individual and I will miss him greatly now that my
time at Elizabethtown is up.
Arguably the biggest thing I have
learned through all of this is that if you aren’t happy, nothing is ever worth
it. Were there times throughout this experience that I was stressed, tired,
miserable, and dreading going to school the next day? You bet there were. But were
there times when I was excited beyond belief to teach a unique lesson, attend
an FFA conference, share jokes with my students, and work with students until I
saw a lightbulb go off? Even more so. I realized that while not every day will
be good, there certainly is good in every day. I have had so many instances
when I was having a bad day and the smallest action turned my day right around.
I realized that no matter what job you have, you will always have a bad day.
That’s life. What matters is how you handle that bad day and what you do to
turn it around!
Everybody tells you about the impact
you will have on your students, the difference you will make in their lives,
you will be a “positive agent of change,” etc. but nobody really tells you the
difference your students will make in your life, the impact they will have on
you. Maybe it’s just because I’m a big softie but these students, all 54 I had
in my classes and the countless others I have interacted with through FFA, have
taught me a lesson and impacted me in their own individual way. Every single
student from the straight a college bound seniors to the disadvantaged lower
ability level underclassman have left their mark on me. Each student has a
story; some are more open to share than others. My eyes have truly been opened
from this experience and I have realized that not all students are as lucky as
I was.
Another big question I have been
getting asked from those around me is what’s next? You graduate in two weeks,
what will you be doing? My response is
typically the same: “I’m not sure what’s next but I know I want to teach.” I
have applied for many jobs, not all of them teaching, just to have something to
fall back on. I know the right opportunity will arise in God’s timing; putting
my faith in Him assures me that I will end up just where I am meant to be!
Would I love to have a job lined up by the time I walk across the graduation
stage in two weeks? Absolutely! Do I have a full time job lined up at this
point? Nope. But honestly, I am okay with that. This experience has taught me
to be flexible, patient, and reassured me that it’s okay not to have it all
figured out. Having a plan is great but things can change in a split second.
You need to trust the process, have faith, and remain persistent.
As I walk out the doors of
Elizabethtown High School for the final time today, there will be tears. I know
I will see some of these students again at the FFA banquet next month but it
won’t be the same. I know that one day I will have the opportunity to have a
program of my own, be a mentor like those who have mentored me and helped me
reach this point. I know you can’t reach every student, but I have learned that
every student can reach you. This was proven true when I found myself stuffing
54 goodie bags, signing 54 individualized cards, and baking 8 dozen cookies to
show my students and my cooperating teacher just how much this experience meant
to me.
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