Making connections.

It's funny that a lot happened this week, and I don't know where to start. The main thing is that the highlights were very helpful in terms of soothing some of my anxieties. I really am a bit nervous about applying for jobs. It's not easy around here. It really isn't. It really makes me nervous to think I might have to move way out just to find one. I mean, I want a suburban job, but I don't want a rural-way-out-there-next-to-the-cows job.

All of the student teachers had a meeting with Mr. S, the principal, yesterday. Gosh, was it the best thing ever. I never had a real close conversation with him before, but this was fantastic. He's such a nice man who really cares for the school and who works there (which I think is an ideal principal for a school... and makes him even greater because he has announced he has cancer (note-- he caught it in time, and he has a very high success rate, thank God). He said he understood all of what we're going through right now with all of our classwork and that we're not being paid to work at the school, etc. The best part of the conversation was that he really wants to help us out with our resumes and cover letters. He offered that he will read our letters and show us examples. AND he said he would love to write each of us letters of recommendations. That is the BEST thing to have in an interview portfolio: a recommendation from the top administrator in the school. Yeah, I will be taking him up on his offer.

I also scheduled a meeting with him on Monday after school to discuss my thesis/inquiry project since I want to know what can work in this school's culture. My question that I will be exploring is:

How can I integrate community service that promotes awareness of a community’s needs into the curriculum to develop a sense of civic responsibility among my second grade students?

If nothing else, this will be my big "selling point" when applying for jobs. It just really helps that I'm gungho passionate about this, so it will be thorough, intentional, and genuine. I just need to present it to him to get his opinions since I value them and he knows what would work best. I'm hoping to be able to do a field trip to one of the service organizations around here (one with which I already have a connection from C&C!). I now need to do a write-up so I know what to say and don't flub it up...

I found out that J's CT was an English major. That made me really happy, especially since I haven't talked English-major-talk in a long time AND that she was 19th century British Lit. :) It truly is the little things.

I'm so glad it's the weekend. I basked in the glory of sleeping in. Oh, restful sleep, how I have missed you.

- Miss Chelsea :)

A whole buncha love.

So I'm finally on the road to recovery which is a great thing seeing as I was tired of getting my tush kicked by a cold. Hopefully once this is gone that nothing will come back until after May... I've taken the advice of several and invested in some Airborne. Apparently it works pretty well. I think I just like it because it's effervescent. :P

A few things that were notable today:

1) A runs up to me, holding her panda book. "Pandas can mate when they are three or four years old. Miss Chelsea, what does MATE mean?" Yeah, never thought I'd have to even touch the whole sex issue in 2nd grade. I started laughing, trying to think of a way to say it without having a parent come after me. Bless little S's heart because she chimed in and asked, "Isn't that like a 'couple'? Like a Mom and Dad?" I replied, "Why yes. That's exactly what it means. Thank you, S. So, it means when a Mommy and Daddy decide to have babies." Oh, the preciousness of kids. I love it!

2) For the first time since September, I finally saw some technology in the classroom. Ms. DT used a projector and laptop to show a slideshow on China. The kids got a big kick out of it because Ms. DT was the narrator and began as if everyone was in an airplane about to take off. The students were all into it, pretending to buckle their seats and prepare themselves for takeoff. Again, I love it!

3) Ms. DT didn't come back into the classroom until after Writing should have started... so I made the transition by myself and got the kids to start writing about their weekends. I was a little nervous because I didn't know if I'd be stepping on toes (one reason I don't like student teaching-- you never know if you're crossing over too much!), but I did it anyway, and Ms. DT seemed thankful. I even enforced our star system and got perfect behavior. Talk about a confidence booster!! I really, really hope I can find a 2nd grade job next year.

4) I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day. BUT. Now that I'm in a classroom again, I'm actually kind of looking forward to it. Maybe because of the innocence of 7 year olds, it's a tolerable, even cute holiday. Fun stuff happens and the cuteness begins with giving out valentines. I even bought little Peanuts valentines to give out (I thought of you, EB, when I bought them!)!

5) The past 2 days that I've been in school has been neat. I find myself connecting more to the teachers there. Ms. DT and I aren't so different after all. We end up chatting for quite a bit at different free times. At lunch today, I even chatted with a few of the other teachers. I guess I just had to prod a little to get a bit of a welcoming feeling.

6) Another awesome thing about 2nd grade-- Hellooooo, girl scout cookies. Every girl is involved with Girl Scouts in one way or another. I have access to the cookies! I cannot BELIEVE they are $4.00 now though. What's up with that? Back in my day, it was $2.00 a box. Pfft. AND they changed the name of Samoas. They're now "Caramel deLites"?!! No. No. Not right.

I REALLY love not having real classes right now. I really, really, really love it. It means that I come home, settle into comfy clothes, relax, get chores done, prepare for tomorrow, organize here and there, and even work at my own pace on my thesis. If this is what teaching is like, then bring it on! I'm going to love it!

Because I just started walking the recovery road, today wore me out. I had no energy. So because I got everything I wanted to get done, I'm heading off to bed as soon as my blanket finishes its cycle in the washer and dryer. Ohhhh, I could so get used to this schedule.

- Miss Chelsea :)

Survival of the fittest.

Of course, the first day I'm supposed to be in the classroom, I'm not. A "death bed" bug bit me like nobody's business and caused me to be invalid on Tuesday. I felt terrible (mentally and physically)... what a way to make a first impression on your supervisor, huh? Well, my friends, if there's one profession that is very understanding of illness, it's the teaching profession. If you're sick, don't come 10 miles within a flock of children. If you do, you will witness a domino effect of coughs, runny noses, and disappearing tissues. And since I don't get sick very often, it hit me hard. I'm still hit pretty hard with this cold (which is only exacerbated by this insane freezing weather), but I wanted to write down some things before I forgot... because after this, I am crashing.

The first day back was so great (despite my feeling like ultimate crud)... the kids were very welcoming with laughs, smiles, and leg hugs. A kept turning around in her seat and then called out, "You're pretty, Miss Chelsea!!" Of course, my ears are deaf with congestion and typical malfunction and didn't hear this. "What??" "I said you're preeeeeeetty, Miss Chelsea." Apparently, you're pretty if you keep your hair down for warmth and don't wear your glasses because when you're sick, clear objects bother you. :P It was cute nonetheless. She and I bond over pandas. :) Which reminds me I need to get my panda photos developed to show her...

Anyhoo, we went on a field trip today to the Chinese Cultural Center... and that was just way too cool. Kids learned how to count in Chinese (Mandarin), write some characters, make Chinese lanterns with red envelopes, make dumplings, use an abacus, play mah-jong, and watch traditional dancing. I'm beat, but it was pretty neat. Great experience for the kids. I had hoped to get more photos of the activities, but sadly, didn't remember until later. We came back to the school and wrote about it... and kind of had a low key day.

An awesome moment today was that I met some of the parents... and they were like "OH! You're THE Miss Chelsea." Yeah, I smiled pretty wide. I felt special... and yeah, it was an awesome feeling being acknowledged. S's Mom was super nice (the kind of mom I want to be) and gosh, if I had had time, I felt I probably woulda spilled my life story to her! She was really encouraging about my wanting to get the kids more aware of the community around them and getting them involved with service. Sooo... that may be my inquiry project (which I found out today that is my grad program's requirement, not the state's) instead of higher-performing kids, especially since my CT suggested I do that one anyway.

So, I'm alive and kicking so far. About to finish my first week... I'm plum tired! I'm SO glad I don't have to take any real classes this semester. It's totally worth the extra year and tuition.

My new supervisor is really awesome, too, by the way. She knows her stuff and gets down to organized business. I love it! This'll be a good semester.

I'm just hoping that this sickness kicks the bucket asap.

- Miss Chelsea :)

Eeks to no communication and Shannon Hale.

So as of now, I received no email from Ms. DT about next Tuesday... which makes me nervous to think that she may not remember that I'm coming in on the 16th. However, I did receive an email from my clinical supervisor. She seems really nice and helpful. I won't meet her until next week though. Soooo, the first two days in the classroom? Free for all. eek.

I did go to the M-R website and find Ms. DT's classroom page... and well, thank goodness, I did! Our class is going on a field trip that Thursday. It's something you want to know! They're studying China right now... but the details, no clue. As Miss EB (she now has a blog; check it out. It's on the righthand side!) said, it's probably a way for the Big Guy to say, "Hey, go with the flow." It's obvious that as a teacher you have to, but it doesn't stop me from wanting to know what's going on in the near future. :P

I also sent emails to two other girls who are doing their full pracs at M-R. No response yet either. I didn't expect one until Monday though since they're probably still on vacation. Hopefully I might be able to finagle a carpool situation! I wouldn't have to wake up at 6am just to make sure I'm at school on time! Woo hoo! It would also save me $40 just this month from riding the subway. Gosh, I can't wait until I get my semester pass for February. I do not have the money to be doing all this subway riding! (Though I am saving money because I don't have to buy any textbooks this semester. That's always a good thing. First time ever!)

Another big praise is that my school has my refund check up on my student account. Yay for some income!

In any case, I think my big anxiety towards next Tuesday is going away. I just want to find out my schedule for the Grad Inquiry Seminar (which is Tuesday night)... like how many times we're meeting. Thankfully, it's only about 6 or 7 times a semester.

For the book lovers out there, if you haven't read any of Shannon Hale's books, you MUST. She's definitely my favorite young adult author. Amazing imagery, strong diction, and beautiful worlds. She helped inspire me with my own young adult novel that I'm currently working on (almost 30 pages, single-spaced, so far). I can't wait until River of Secrets comes out in paperback in April. Why paperback? Because my other Shannon Hale books are in paperback, and I'm a finnicky booknerd like that. :)

Anyway, go check her out! She's amazing.

- Miss Chelsea :)

5 more months.

It's been awhile since I've written. Mainly due to the overwhelming nature of the end-of-the-semester. But it's over and now it's only 5 more months. Am I excited? Ohhh yes. Not just for the final of all college experiences, not just for final certifications... but also because my Dad is getting me a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. :) Trust me, it's something to be excited about in my head. It's a wonderful motivation.

I registered for MTEL #2-- Foundations of Reading. Not sure when I'll start studying for that one since that's the big one. The most difficult. The one with a higher percentage of failure. Eek. I won't think about it yet! No no.

As I write this, I'm on a plane back to Boston. I start my student teaching next Tuesday (Jan. 16th), and I honestly don't know what to expect or do! I don't have a full prac meeting until the end of next week. Maybe I'll email the full prac woman... I also emailed Ms. DT about what they're doing in the classroom now, but no response yet.

Over vacation, I'm understanding a few things. One, the nation is crying out for good, passionate public school teachers, and I know they're out there; I see them everyday. They're the people you see always wandering around Staples, hoping to find scratch-n-smell stickers for their students. They're the people scrunched up on tiny little stools in the children's section at Barnes and Noble, reading through different books that would be appropriate for a struggling reader. They're the people who struggle themselves but love children's books so much that they help another struggling becoming-teacher build their classroom library. (Lots of love, EB :) ) Why don't people recognize these people? It is encouraging to hear every time I've mentioned I'm becoming a teacher that everyone has responded with, "This country needs good teachers!" It's funny that everyone KNOWS this, but why do our salaries still equal that of blue collar worker (maybe sometimes a bit higher)? At least the profession is really well-respected than it used to be. That's a step up. :)

Two, people who have nothing to do with education sure have a lot to say about education. At times, these are parents. Other times, these are politicians. Even business people. It's kind of tiring! It's like telling a surgeon how to perform open heart surgery when you're the CEO of a fast-food restaurant chain. It just doesn't work.

Three, every time I'm out of the classroom, I get anxious and wonder if this is what I'm supposed to be doing... and if I misheard my calling. I LOVE the classroom, but why can't I see my standing in front of a classroom, conducting a gaggle of students? Friends know I really want to become a mom (which I can't even see right now either!)... and I would love to take culinary classes, too (but the thought of more "school" makes me wince). The weird thing is that once I'm IN the classroom, this anxiety isn't there. I'm comfortable and in my element. I think I'm just letting little mind demons eat my rationality. :P

On a side note, I wrote up a letter to give to the kids' parents. It's just a little introduction of who I am and what I'll be doing in the classroom this semester. A lot of them haven't met me yet... so I thought this would be a good initiative.

Also, I've built a classroom website to be put into my electronic portfolio that I've give to potential employers. I thought that would show some good initiative, too!

Well, here's to a semester of classroom 5 day a week, comprehensive exam (aka huge ole thesis project), 2 more MTELs, and more kid cuteness.

- Miss Chelsea :)