Ever since I was a little girl I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I dabbled with the idea of becoming a meteorologist (no --I'm not kidding!) and a Crime Scene Investigator, but that was brief. By the time I was halfway through high school there was no other career option I've felt surer of than that of an educator. As I studied and observed, and even nervously taught mini-lessons, I received my Bachelor's Degree and my student teaching placement. Now, as I work toward my teaching certification and hit the halfway mark of my internship I wanted to not only reflect but share some truly hilarious and wonderful moments.
Many people view teachers in one of two ways, we are either truly hardworking and selfless individuals or we are the product of a begrudgingly famous quote by George Bernard Shaw who once said, "Those who can do, those who can't teach.” Despite those opinions and despite the severe lack of support for teachers I dove head first in late August. As a student teacher, there is already a lot to go up against and I felt like I had a lot to prove. The difficulty comes from the fact that the age difference between myself and my students is five years. Just five years separates me from these students and I struggle with that every day because it is so hard to remind them I am their teacher and not their friend.
Nonetheless, I still get the opportunity to connect and have intellectual conversations with the generation behind me. These students will become doctors and contractors and plumbers and scientists and activists and that fact alone makes my job feel like a privilege rather than a duty. I've witnessed a student proudly write a draft proposing inclusiveness for LGBT students for state legislators. I worked with a student on their college application for weeks and just recently had the chance to celebrate with her upon hearing of her acceptance.
I've also witnessed devastating heartbreak and terrible stories of home life. I had to pull myself together the day after the election and manage varying emotions of my students ranging from incredibly excited to crying uncontrollably. As a student teacher, one of the strangest experiences is realizing how we all are truly different. It's not a fact I have overshadowed or ignored but one that becomes more prevalent the day I took on the responsibility of being an educator.
Not only have I learned a lot about my students, but I have learned a lot about myself. For anyone who believes being a teacher is an easy job, I invite you to step into our shoes just for a class period. Multi-tasker, entertainer, information-gatherer, technology expert, observer, and counselor are just some of the terms I would use to describe what being a teacher feels like within ONE class period. Add six to seven other class periods plus unheard of amount of hours at home grading and prepping.
I love it. Every minute of it. The struggles, the victories, the "ah-ha!" moments and everything in between. There is no other job I'd rather dedicate my life to and just getting my feet wet with this internship makes me feel secure in my career choice. I am a student teaching intern and a soon to be teacher.
