Official details.

So it's even more official. My principal told me a few days ago that I will be teaching 2nd grade. Am I excited? Oh, you betcha. This is my dream grade, especially as a first year teacher who did her student teaching in 2nd grade. Now I'm just waiting to find out what exactly the New Teacher Institute is all about.

There are a lot of things going in my head right now... particularly that I need to finish up lesson plans for the gifted camp that I'll be teaching at in a month. Miss S is coming up to visit this weekend so we can collaborate since we're teaching the same class. Yay, it'll be easier for the both of us. :)

Okay, yeah, I can't focus right now on writing... I just discovered a mourning dove outside my house, and that's gotten me pretty excited since I've become more of a birder recently.

Hopefully I'll write more later.
- Miss Chelsea :)

I AM JOBBED!

You heard right. I have a job. Not just any job. A TEACHING job at my top choice school, CP. I will have my own classroom! Am I that jaded that I'm still waiting for the catch? Or the person to pop out from behind the curtains to say, "haHA! Just kidding!!"? How can I have gotten a job on the first school interview that I went on? ME who had so many issues over the past 5 months?

I wore a new neutral outfit, brought my portfolio with letters of recommendation, photos, resume, etc. I also brought a list of questions which included: "What do you think is the top schoolwide priority for this coming school year will be?" "Which Math program does CP use?" "How does CP build community amongst its students, faculty, staff, and parents?" I laid thick the professionalism. ;)

Well, I'm not going to (let myself) question a blessing. Things just happen. All I know is that a school wanted me! I will be teaching to a classroom full of first or second graders. I'm rooting for the latter, but if I can't get that, I'll be fine and make it work. It's completely out of my hands. ... but well, you know, I'll email the principal in any case. Because, yeah. Maybe I can help direct where that hand moves.

I wish my other teacher friends would hear back from their places soon... If you happen to be an administrator of an elementary school, hire my friends! They are excellent teachers and fantabulous people!

Well, the big questions have been answered and now I await for the final decision for the next year. Will it be 6 or 7 year olds?

- Miss Chelsea :)

Bring on the apples.

There is no further confirmation that you're doing what you need to be doing than children's comments and actions. I was "mauled" by arms and hands as the the final minutes of school drifted away. I sat in the circle with a little tote bag with "Miss F" and my students' names scrawled across it. It was stuffed with teacher goodies that they got themselves (well, their parents). In their special number order, they went around and said what they wanted to thank me for. Yeah, any warm-blooded person would get all teary listening to it.



At that moment, I prayed that these kids wouldn't let the world change their generous and loving spirits. That their self-esteems wouldn't plummet when they get to 4th grade (or even 3rd grade). That they continue to smile and work hard through the difficult times. That they reach their potential. That they know that they are loved and wanted (despite the fact that they make you want to pull out your hair some days).

To hear that a child thanks you for your "awesome" choice of read-aloud books (something that is very dear to your heart in the first place) or just talking to them at recess sends your heart a-swellin'. To think that you helped that individual in some way or impressed a memory on them for the rest of their lives forces a kind of humility into your being.

You find purpose in the smiles of seven year olds. You find joy in the ah-ha moments lit up on their faces. You invest yourself in these young lives, financially and emotionally. These are the kids who will grow up to become our doctors, lawyers, salespeople, presidents, teachers, the list is endless... I can't wait to hear whom they might be in the next 10 years.

This is where I will make a difference. This is how I can change my corner of the world.

I wonder what September will bring. A whole new class of potential. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm going to LOVE my vacation over the next few months because heck, I need it... but I'm also really looking forward to my very own classroom when the leaves start changing again.

- Miss Chelsea :)

I'm gonna be a teacher!

After much mental deliberation, I have accepted the job with PPS. I will be moving back home to teach at the end of the summer! It's the right decision, and with each day, I get more and more excited for what's to come. I have been contacting the principals of the schools at which I want to work (and praying that they want me enough to have me at their school), and I have interviews in the works for when I visit home. This kind of situation is such a rare one. Most teachers don't find out about jobs until late June-July. Miss EB and the rest of my GS folk are going through that now... the same situation I THOUGHT I was going to be in, especially with my rough semester. I definitely thank God for not working last minute with me on this one.

It's going to be really hard to leave here because of so many things, particularly my friends... but I suppose I'm more at ease with it since all my good friends live far away, and I'm used to that kind of friendship.

On the upside, I'm going to have a lot more support in VA than here in MA. Financially, emotionally, educationally... it's going to be a tough year, but I can do it. :)

GS-related note... I'm still trying to finish up my inquiry project, reflection portfolio, and everything else... but I was given extensions since GS is making me do a third takeover week (which I'm in now--- 3 more days to go).

Everything else is going well and crazy. Kids are insanely bouncing off the walls at times because it's almost June, and so I've had to implement "strikes" to try to focus them. It's working since they lose a recess if they get three strikes. (Sure, I'd pay in the end for not giving them a recess... but it's the price I'm willing to pay for good behavior!!) I also have been putting individual names on the board if they lose 5 minutes of recess due to excessive talking at inappropriate times or being generally disruptive. Seems to be working and helps keep them accountable.

N screamed at me on Friday when I let one of the kids at the "5 minutes off" table go join the rest of recess. He had been twirling around on top of the table and talking to other kids. To me, he was showing me that he didn't understand why he was there and he didn't take it seriously. (M had been sitting there quietly with his hands clasped... now, I didn't ask for the hands clasped, but he did show me that he had respect and that means a lot. Bless his heart.)When I told N, "I'm not trying to punish you, I'm trying to show you that your actions have consequences. Do you understand that?", he was like "NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I was taken aback and my CT gave him an annoyed look. We just ignored him and let him stew. He's a tough cookie and thinks he can get what he wants. Sadly, recess is the only thing that affects him. :( After recess, he started talking to me again, and I asked if we'll have a better day on Monday. He nodded. We'll see about that one. lol

Kids have also started asking me when my last day is (I think my CT sent out an email about it because I was getting a whole lot of comments about it earlier this week). It's Wednesday, May 16th... and it'll be sad... I'm getting tons of hugs which are always nice. I LOVE SECOND GRADE! :) They are obsessed with fun pencils, so I got each of them a pencil and put a little tag on it with "I'll miss you! Love, Miss F :)"... and I got my CT some things. It's kind of exciting. :) I can't wait to give them it all!

- Miss Chelsea :)

Job fairs can be useful.

I've been slightly MIA due to a bunch of issues with my GS. I had a meeting with the practicum department yesterday, and let's just say, my confidence was pretty shot. I chose my battles though and ended up with extensions for my thesis/GS requirements since I'm doing a third takeover week and extra days for them. All in all, I felt like I didn't know anything about education and, again, doubting my abilities as a teacher.

But THEN.

I went to the big job fair this morning. I wore C's skirt suit, I felt good, I had my portfolio with me. Miss J picked me up and off we went to the Expo Center. Once we arrived, Miss M came and joined us. She ended up being a great fair buddy since we wanted the same schools.

I didn't check out any of the Massachusetts schools since it was like a feeding frenzy at their booths. Most everyone who waited in the long lines for them wants to stay local, I imagine. From what I heard from Miss J, all they were telling people was to go online and apply. How lame is that! One does not pay $10 to get into a job fair to be told to go online and apply. The district that I'm student teaching in right now didn't even take any resumes. That's ridiculously snobby.

So, anyway, I only went to the job fair because Virginia schools were going to be there. I tell ya, that's the way to do it! Go to an out-of-state fair to get into the state you wanna be! It works like a charm. At least you know they want you anyway.

So I went and talked to VB, N, and P. VB wasn't very informative, and I would need to jump through hoops to try to get a "private invitation to the special VB job fair." (Dad still wants me to apply.) N just isn't my thing since it's pretty urban. And lastly, we come to P.

What happens?

I get an interview right there. For the first time in a LONG time, I feel confident. The woman asked me questions, and I'm spouting off answers and going in my head, "WHOA, where did that come from!? I learned that!?"

What happens next?

They give me a letter of commitment that I'm guaranteed a job with Portsmouth next school year. I TECHNICALLY HAVE A JOB! I have 10 days to decide and give them my answer. If I accept, they pay for all my "I'm not a child abuser" screening (up to $200), and I need to take the Praxis II (yuck).

Miss M got a letter of commitment, too, for a librarian's position. She's all gungho about it because it's located somewhere warmer.

I'm still teetering... but feel SO GREAT because SOMEONE wants me. I'm qualified enough, and I'd have a decent starting pay!

But 10 days.

I emailed the woman thanking her for her time and asked her some more questions. My main stipulation will be if I can choose which school to teach at. P can be kind of sketchy, but after I talked to Dad, he told me the good areas, so I'm good. That's my thing; I need to choose the school. Hopefully I do have some say into it... if not, then... well, I'll still keep my options open everywhere else.

As of now, it's exciting that this door has opened for me. Even if it's not the star district of VA, I will have gotten my foot in the door and one year of teaching experience. :) It might prove a very interesting time.

- Miss Chelsea :)

Mountains out of molehills.

I would like to express my frustrations towards my grad school (GS). Though it's a great program with wonderful resources, I've had to deal with some loopholes to that statement. Because they are teachers, one would think that they would take into account the entire experience and not discount anything. To be as vague as possible, yes, I had some difficult communication with my CT at the beginning of the semester, but now, we have a great relationship. I wouldn't trade any of the experience for anything. I learned and am now carrying on as is everyone else BUT my GS. Now GS thinks that time was wasted and that I now need to either have 3 takeover weeks or cancel part of my vacation to stay an extra week (which is not going to happen, by the way, since money is already invested in it).

I just don't get it. I'm not the type of person who just blows off the entire semester because something didn't go the way I wanted it to. GS apparently doesn't know me very well. THAT IS MY LIFE STORY. I deal with it and strive to make it better; the past few years, I have been so good about not dwelling in the past. I now want to move forward and live in the present and future. GS, don't make me go there again!! I learned life lessons on how to better communicate and how to work with another teacher. What works, what doesn't work. Is that a lost situation? NO.

The email I sent in response to F's:

Dear F and M,
Thank you so much for contacting me. I appreciate the effort you are making for open communication and your concern.

In the beginning of the semester, it was a bit difficult for me with the miscommunication between Tracy and me. It was true that the mentorship and good ST-CT relationship was weak. However, amidst it, I still learned and I do not think the time went unwasted at all. Since the miscommunication has been cleared for quite some time now, T and I have a great relationship. I have felt more and more comfortable asking for advice, pulling resources, and just, in general, being in her classroom. I love feeding off of all of her ideas! Once we got to know each other a bit more, it has been a thriving environment. I feel very supported by her, M, and GS. It's a lot of life lessons that I'm thankful to learn now.

Like every student teacher, I have had a day here and there where it's difficult (admittedly, today was one of those days for personal reasons). On some of those, I have talked to M because she offered that door at the beginning, and I'm grateful for that. I come to her more as a young woman starting out and looking for a listening ear who has already been through what she has.

To help this communication between the three of us, I'm slightly confused on where the concern lies. I'm learning through trial and error and have had a bit more error than I would have liked this semester, but that does not discount my experience at all. I love where I am. I love M-R. I love my class. Also, I suppose I'm just unsure of the purpose of the meeting. Are there other concerns of that I'm unaware?

Thank you so much again. I hope to hear from you soon.
Hope you have a great day,
Chelsea :)

I know, I know people mean well, but to think that I'm in shambles and a mess because of some difficult days I have had, is just not true. This happens to student teachers all of the time. I thought I was more direct with saying that I'm NOT overwhelmed by the classroom; it's everything else in my life. It's personal, and quite honestly, it makes me uncomfortable that I would need to explain myself to GS. I briefly surfaced it with my supervisor, and I do worry that her well-intentioned concern has made this mountain since now the head of the practicum office is contacting me to set up a meeting to "discuss some of my supervisor's concerns." Are there other concerns of which I'm unaware? My CT doesn't even know. My supervisor is very adament about my staying 2 extra weeks, but she doesn't understand that I cannot do it. Vacation is booked, and I am going to South Carolina. We won't get into the fact that by that time, my full-prac portfolio will be turned in, my thesis will be accepted, my last and final MTEL will be taken, and I will have had my endorsement meeting... meaning I have no further obligations to GS.

I can completely relate to EB now with her GS problems. I'm still awaiting a reply back from the head woman about this "meeting."

In the meanwhile, my supervisor said something that was rang true to me. Throughout life, student teachers are typically told that they do really well, academically, or we wouldn't be at this point right now. But now, student teachers face situations/lessons that just don't work, and they instantly feel the failure. We're not used to tasting failure again in our adult lives (we're more sensitive to it than kids who just get right back up and try another way). It comes as a shock because "oh no, we have to relearn everything." I don't like this sense of failure (though I KNOW I'M NOT a failure); I just hate the bitter taste of it in my heart and realize that the trials are necessary but make me very weary and doubtful.

When you know that teaching is only your short term life goal, it pains you to think you have to go through all of this just to get to your long term life goal of becoming a mom.

It's Easter weekend, and I'm very thrilled. I can catch up on work and try to get myself refocused on what really matters in life.

- Miss Chelsea :)

Okay, kids, what's today's virus?!

We all have those moments where we just throw up our arms and go, "Okay, God. What the heck?" That has been my "thought of the moment" for the past month now. I'm starting to be on my toes and go frantic because as soon as this current bout of sinusitis clears, I'm wondering what's behind Door #5. Will it be a bright, shiny new stomach flu!? Or a handy dandy throat cold!?

I need to start logging these illnesses so maybe by the time I'm 25, I'll be immune to ALL COLDS AND YUCKY THINGS. Yes, they'll have to give me the Nobel Prize for "Being the Living Antibody for All Attacks Against the Immune System." Oh yes, I can see it now.

"We award you, Miss Chelsea, for being such a human trooper and battling these body wars. You somehow survived them all, and therefore, we venerate you and claim that you are the living cure for all colds."

Didn't think I'd be famous for that, though. I had hoped my future children's book or novel would do that one. Alas, my ambitions will have to change due to the increasing cesspool of germies à la small children.

After finding out two other disgusting diseases that are going around M-R right now, I see no finish line for the race of being free from illness yet. Let's just say if I get one of them (because they are quite disturbingly sick), I'm going to throw myself into a vat of anti-bacterial hand sanitizer and then find myself a super-sterile bubble to live for the rest of my days. Move over, Bubble Boy, it'll be Bubble Girl Reinvented, and I'll need my space.

I wonder if employers of the education field look highly upon a sickly teacher candidate... after all, it shows that you're probably in contact with young'uns a LOT and are kindred spirits with the concept of "Sharing is Caring." Well, we'll find out on Tuesday when CPS is graced by my amoxicillin-pumped vessel of a teacher. ;)

- Miss Chelsea :)

I love February Break.

Since I have been posting everywhere else I post at online, I figured I'd post here, too. :)

I stayed up late last night to work on a schedule for my upcoming "Forces in Motion" unit (e.g., friction, gravity, and balance). It's finished, and I feel somewhat more settled with it now that I know it will probably extend right before April break. I just need to find supplement activities that are a bit more exciting and relative to the kids. Certain district curriculum mandates can be a bit bland and dry (did we think any less?), so of course, teachers need to tailor the activities to their specific classrooms.

Anyone who knows the "teacher geek" inside of me knows I am obsessed with The Magic School Bus (from here on out, MSB is its name)... meaning, I just adore this series of books and DVDs and aim to have the entire collection for my classroom (I almost have all of the DVDs! Just need one more: The MSB Catches a Wave). Well, the first thing I did with this was to check the MSB's website. Lo and behold, I found an episode, book, AND lesson activity on friction. I was very excited for this, seeing as that I could FINALLY bring the MSB into my practicum experience. Yes, the teacher geek geeks out. (P.S. Miss EB does not help this obsession as she sends me links to different sites selling huge lots of MSB stuff (secretly I'm thrilled, but openly, I have to be anxious). :P

I also am on a kick to also acquire a lot of Wishbone books. I used to have quite a few when I was younger, but those disappeared when a lot of moving took place. So, eventually, I will integrate classic literature into second grade. The English major inside of me weeps every time she can't be a part of my lessons. So, I'm hawkeye-ing eBay and watching particular lot auctions. If you don't know of Wishbone the dog, you must. It's a Jack Russell terrier that plays (mostly) the main character of a classic novel/story. He goes through different adventures and mysteries, doing what he does best: putting a fun spin on stories such as The Odyssey, Frankenstein, Great Expectations, and several different cultures' tales. The 50+ episodes combine real life themes that run parallel to the themes in classic literature. They just make it work. It's ingenious! I don't know one who wouldn't love this as an educational tool.

Well, I'm going to our nation's capitol tomorrow to visit my best bud-sister for my February break. I'm very excited to just have a break from everything even if I'm still having to do work on my thesis.

- Miss Chelsea :)

Fourth week completed.

So I've made it through thus far. As each day passes, I'm becoming more and more comfortable in the school. There was some time where I just felt out of place and not "part of the community"... but it's slowly changing, and I'm VERY glad.

Yesterday was the first real "fun" day that I've had while at M-R. Not the kind of fun where kids are running around. But the teacher kind of fun where you just love being in the classroom, teaching your lesson. I taught about the moon phases yesterday... and we did a hands-on activity (that Ms. DT said was a great idea! :) ) where the kids hold a stryofoam ball on a stick and use a flashlight to see the moon's phases. We couldn't find a dark place at first, but then Ms. DT and I improvised and did it right in the large area in front of the gym. We turned off the lights, and bam! perfect. The students had a blast, I had a blast, my CT had a blast, and it felt so natural. This is what teaching should be like! I have my confirmation now.

As I'm getting more comfortable so my classroom management skills are getting more assertive. Thankfully, these kids are pretty well-behaved and have always listened to me, but I'm slowly learning how to work "it." I inner-laugh at a lot of the stuff I subconsciously do because it's so "mom." I'll give a look and J will know I mean business. Or I'll just walk by S who is busily chatting during literacy and he'll immediately remind himself that's not okay.

Then we move along to another type of student... A is a boy who is a "helpless handraiser." I told him he needed to remove "I need help" from his vocabulary. :P So he started getting creative. "Miss Chelsea, may I have your assistance?" I laughed and replied, "Well, at least that's better than 'I need help'." He's a sweet kid, but I'm finding out I have a bit more to learn about how to make my students independent. I'm conflicted, too. While independence is a good thing, our society has become TOO independent (which leads to higher cases of stress, suicide, anxiety, breakdowns, etc). I want my students to know that they should have someone they can rely on... they do NOT always have to rely on themselves. However, they do need to be independent enough to do things on their own. It's a balance that needs to be drawn. It's hard to implement in this school, though, since a lot of independence is greatly emphasized.

I have my MTEL #2 in 3 weeks, and I haven't even begun to study. Ugh. My plan is to do that today.

Since I finally bought another portable filing carrier thing, I went through all of my papers, lesson materials, worksheets, etc. and filed it according to subject and topic. Okay, you may laugh, but when I start teaching, I'm going to be bombarded with papers, and I want to know where I can find ideas for weather lessons or a Magic School Bus poster asap! :P

A few weeks ago, I did a bulletin board for our China unit... I'm quite proud because I had fun. :)

I was feeling kinda iffy this morning, so I've been drinking Airborne like crazy today. I will NOT get sick again in a month's period. That's ridiculous and unacceptable!! So, hello, Zinc and Vitamin C, you are my new kindred spirits. (We had a girls movie night last night... and watched the final installment of Anne of Green Gables. I blame all dramatizations on Anne Shirley. haha)

Well, onto more work and all that fun stuff.
Chelsea :)

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 :)

Books, plays, and subs

One more week until I find out about my MTEL score and one more day until I get to celebrate being one more year older. I have been absent around these parts due to a mini-cruise vacation where I ended up being with the other side of the age spectrum. My uncle is a nurse, and therefore, he was tense quite a few times that one of the elderies would slip and break a hip or something. Needless to say, I missed the kiddies.

It was a good day. The kids were in a little theatre production on Ancient Mexico this morning. Was it adorable! They made their own costumes (masks, headgear, paper assortments), puppets, and scenery. A and I couldn't help but awwing and "oh my goshing." About 75% of Ms. DT's class was in it... the other 25% will be in another production on Ghana (or China... whatever this district requires for their country study curriculum) later on in the year.

(A took some pictures... and this one was post-play. You can still see the cuteness of the Mexican god with yellow hands on the left!)

Sadly, I also became really, really excited over the Scholastic Book Fair going on today. Yes, I love the books. I had an "older person" moment when I asked if they took cash only. The woman told me, "Nope! We'll take any form of your money. Cash, check, credit card." "Credit card?! Ooh, how modern."

Now back in my day, we had to have exact cash change along with the slip of paper that indicated the specific books we wanted to buy. Not anymore. Scholastic is up with the times.

Well, I ended up buying 4 books; I justified the purchases by saying, "It helps the school out!!" ;) Hey, they weren't allll for me. One was for Miss EB, but I looked up her booklist on LibraryThing and realized she already had it. Doh. Another one is for K, though, and I'm pretty sure she doesn't already own the one I bought for her.

The only disheartening news I heard was the reiteration that I'm going to have a very hard time finding a job next year. I suppose I kind of knew that going into teaching. See, the turnover in elementary school teachers is not often. In elementary schools, you pretty much get a plethora of people who are in the field for like 15-30 years. Yep, years. It's divine intervention when a position opens up when you're looking for one. My supervisor scared me when she said that we should become long-term subs for our first year. I'll do anything just to be able to pay the basic bills... but I'll need health benefits and most subs don't get those. We'll see what happens. I'm supposed to be a teacher in this stage of my life, so I know I'll be put where I need to be.

I also officially started my grading job this evening since I picked up some essays to be graded by next Tuesday. I'm pretty exhausted right now since I didn't get to sleep last night as quickly as I had hoped... but I made it through the day pretty cheerfully.

- Miss Chelsea :)

Something they don't teach in Teacher Education : Logistics of the Licensure and Hiring Process

There is nothing called relaxation during the pre-practicum experience. I just found out earlier today that on top of the MTELs (about $300) and everything else involved in Initial Licensure (the oh-so-priceless education through a state-approved university)... that you have to ALSO file for the actual license through the Department of Education (DOE)... another $100 and another process of requesting transcripts, submitting signatures, etc. It's pure insanity! Here, Mass. DOE, have my firstborn, too! No no, take it! As a teacher, I shall not need him! :P

Thank goodness my supervisor told A and me today. She said the process for Initial Licensure can take up to 9 months! 9! (Probably so they can take your unborn child if you happen to be in that situation!) Needless to say, I went ahead and applied (a.k.a. signed my life and credit card to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) even though I'll be on pending status until June... since of course, I have to first graduate and take the 2 other MTELs.

Lesson of the Day to Future Teachers: Ask current teachers what they had to do to become licensed. There is a process. A very long and tedious process.

It was shocking to hear that when I called the DOE to ask if I had to pay the $100 again if I went to my inevitable pending status (nope, it's a one-time fee, thank goodness), that they had to have a "message" saying that they haven't even begun reviewing applications from July yet so "if that's why you're calling, we apologize. We're trying to be as efficient and quick as possible with this process." YIKES! I would be bugging out! Especially since it's November. Almost to the halfway mark of the school year. But if employers already hired you, then I guess you don't have too much to worry about... but still!

It's rough becoming a first-year teacher. You need to be the best darn applicant on paper to even be noticed. I was worried that since I wasn't going to be donning a certification for Disabilities or ELL, I didn't have anything going for me as "a cut above the rest." But then I started talking about time and serving in the community, and my supervisor said that she'd hire me in a second because of that. I said, "What! Really?! They look for that?! I just didn't think that was a big deal. It's just something I'm passionate about." But again, teachers tend to be the most humble of professionals (hmm, that sounds ironic to say) and don't think that something they do with children is earth-shattering. "It's just what we do. It's what works."

So yay, something I love doing can work for me when I'm interviewing!

The only good thing I can say about all these processes is that you really get the people who really want to become teachers. You weed out the ones that are in it for the summer vacations and other "benefits." I just better be staying in Massachusetts for more than 2 years now! I don't want to have to go through this again for a long time!

On a cute classroom note...

A little girl in braided pigtails named S came up to me today while I sat sorting my papers. She handed me a paper, and I asked, "Oh, what's this?" She replied, "It's for you."
It was a drawing of hearts, stars, and some unknown scribbles with "To Miss Chelsea... your great" scrawled on the top. Nearly broke my heart!

"Did you know I LOVE artwork? I have a special folder at home with lots of drawings from students in it. Thank you so much, S!"

I wanted to give her a hug, but alas, I shook her hand with a big thank you squeeze (the shaking hands thing is something they do when they enter Ms. DT's classroom each morning). (Another sad thing, you can't make a huge deal about one kid (i.e. hugs) especially if they give you something because then it can cause inequality with the other students... egh! Always technicalities!) It definitely made my day. Again, this is why I can't wait to be a teacher.

- Miss Chelsea :)

MTEL Countdown : 1 down, 2 to go.

After waking up at 6am, I made my way over to the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure testing center. I was surprisingly awake and coherent for only getting about 6 hours of sleep. (It's a rough slumber week when you've been battling a migraine for the past 3 weeks. Needless to say, I found Excedrin to be a friend of mine.) I even saw a girl from my Grad Inquiry Seminar there! We chatted briefly and wished each other good luck, then come to find out we were in the same testing room. Straaaange, yes, but nice.

I'm a little apprehensive because I was the second one finished with the exam. I'm NEVER the second one to finish on ANY standardized test. SATs = horrible. GREs = even more horrible. MTELs = ????.

The test itself wasn't bad. It was pretty much like the "Ultimate English Major Exam Ever." Finding out what's incorrect in a sentence almost made me go "Are you for serious?" after looking at the word "sucessfull." And defining words made me smile (but it also made me think that this would be hard for someone who doesn't like to read very much... I feel sorry/bad that it came so easy to me...). If I could use a red pen on this bubble sheet, I would have had a field day. But alas, my fun was cut short when I realized time was ticking away.

Contrary to popular belief, I'm sometimes a slow reader, especially when it comes to objective reading comprehension tests that freak me out because my interpretation could be completely different. I've learned the tricks over the years, but it still doesn't ease my anxiety of that "what if it's wrong?".

You know, there was no real anxiety during the exam, but my apprehension comes from hindsight. I know I definitely got two answers completely wrong (I totally boffed defining "rote" and "declarative sentence"... and of course, afterwards, I was kicking myself.), but other than that, I feel somewhat confident about the rest? I know I'm supposed to be become a teacher as my "short-term" life calling, so I'm going to get there regardless what happens, but I can't help but think if I have to retake one of them... how much is this all going to cost?!

I handed over my materials at 11:15am and made a dash to the wonderfulness of public transportation to get to church to help serve lunch to volunteers. It was a good day and an even better day after my nap.

So, in summary, this is the MTEL that is supposed to be a piece of cake. 70% passing rate. We'll see on November 24th when the results come in. I don't have to worry about the next one until March 3, 2007 when I take the Foundations of Reading exam. That's the big one... the one everyone dreads for its definitiveness on phonological awareness and miscue analysis... no, I won't even think about it now. Time to go get ready for some pumpkin fun.

- Miss Chelsea :)

Home to classroom.

This past Wednesday, I administered a "reading survey" to J about how he felt about reading... it was a fun survey that had different Garfield the Cat and his expressions (e.g. excited, happy/chill, sad, and angry). J circled the Garfield to that he related most. I was actually surprised at his responses.

He was really excited and loved reading. He thinks he reads very well and is excited when he gets a book as a present. On the flipside, he would rather do something else than read at home, though. Some of his answers were a bit inconsistent, but I had made sure he understood the question before we moved onto the next... so, not sure what to think of that.

This is a great attitude for J to have, especially since he struggles so much. This means that he has the solid interest and that solid interest will help him get better. I also found out that he lives in a single-parent home, so he's most likely not getting as much reading reinforcement at home though he says his mom reads to him sometimes. Single parents have demanding schedules, and most of the time, it's circumstance's fault (not the parent's) for the lack of attention towards his/her kid's school work.

There are so many elements that go into a child's education that we're sometimes not aware of or choose to not acknowledge, but the home environment is pretty much the #1 influence. Kids eat, sleep, play, etc... all in this one (or even two) place(s). It's no joke when people say children need stability; it's true. Lack of stability will show up in homework, classroom behavior, peer behavior, and ultimately child development.


What happens when there is no home stability? How can teachers work with that? How can teachers press the importance of the parent's child's education and development without telling him/her "how to raise his/her child"? How can teachers encouragement involvement from the single parent when s/he is already pressed for time? How can teachers supplement this need without being "too involved"?

J said he has a twin sister who also comes to this same school (through the same METCO program). I haven't met her yet, but from what I hear from Ms. DT, the twin is having similiar reading problems.

He's a bright kid when he gets on the right track. I have to be careful though because he's borderline "helpless handraiser" and can become too dependent on my helping him, especially when I -know- he knows how to do a certain problem.

Time will keep telling me, and hopefully, I'll keep putting the pieces together.

- Miss Chelsea :)

Oral Histories.

I have a oral history project for my Social Studies methods course due on Thursday. Despite my reluctance to actually finish writing it now, I had a great time just interviewing my grandparents and Dad. I never knew my Dad lived in Germany for 6 years while he was in the army. He still knows some German! I never knew my Poppi's dad died in the Korean War, yet Poppi still joined the Navy. I never realized my Nuna had 5 kids by the time she was 20 (which is a scary thought to me! Definitely different times now).

Though the topic of the project is the Civil Rights Movement, I learned more about from where my family comes and who they are. You're probably wondering why I even interviewed them... well, unbeknownst to most, my Poppi's black (he came into the family by marriage, so yep, I'm still as pale as can be... haha)... and typically, a mixed marriage back in those days wasn't always so looked happily upon. So, that was my tie into the 1950's-70's.

Oral histories are great projects for students of all ages (it's why we're still doing them in grad school!). It connects them to the past. People like to share stories, and kids generally like to hear them. Kids become involved with their learning. They become responsible; it makes their stories theirs.

Who are the people they [the students] interview? what are their backgrounds? Their stories? What have they learned about others, about themselves?

And when the general curriculum doesn't allow time for Social Studies, it can be fitted into the literacy portion. Everyone wins! I wonder how it would work with younger kids... hmm...

[Thinking Aloud Moment] Oh! A great lesson plan for 2nd graders would be to just interview someone older than the student and then have them write a part of that person's story in class. That would be so cool to do. The school I'm in now doesn't have a Social Studies time... so that could be a possibility for next semester's full prac. [end Moment]

What it bubbles down to is that it's all about the "hidden curriculum" (a term for what really is learned but isn't formally taught in the classroom... i.e. respect, how to treat others, who you are, classroom management).

In other news, I did a tiny bit of the Comm. and Literacy practice exam (2 more weeks) on Saturday... and I got them all right (well, I think with the exception of one)! I just had trouble focusing... I wonder if there is an adult onset of dyslexia or ADD or something. I feel like I have either or sometimes! I end up reading the same paragraph over and over for better comprehension and because I lose my spot. If I read this one paragraph one more time, I think my eyes might possibly burn a hole in the paper.

I have an interview on Friday for the grading papers/English TA position at the charter school. I'm not nervous or anything since I can put up a pretty good "confident mask" during an actual interview. But the preparation... Gosh, I have to prepare for an interview now! Yikes! Must... find... good... writing... sample.

- Miss Chelsea :)

Little classroom moments.

Day 2 was a success and very productive. I got to do my reading intervention with J, completed another state-mandated observation, taught a learning center with dominoes, did a teacher interview, met the principal, and even found out some tidbits about the retirement savings plan (not the 401K) that is geared for public school employees. How 'bout that.

Highlights of my day are always the innocent kid comments of "You'll be with us all year, right, Miss Chelsea?" or "Can you come back next week?" Those just make my heart melt because they don't have to say that; they say it on their own volition and out of their own character. Honesty is still "the only way" with them. Those make me want to come back each and every week... and it is the same thing that kept my going back to work at the academic camp for the past 3 years (and will do so next summer).

The learning centers activity was actually a bit crazy at first. Ms. DT asked if A and I would help... and so, of course, we said yes; it required three grown-ups.

(Side note: I thought learning centers were completely different. I thought they were stationary in the classroom somewhere and kids just went whenever they wanted. Nope, learning centers are actually centers that kids rotate between during a block of time.)

I took over the dominoes and addition sentences activity... and let me tell you, initially, it was a challenge because the kids weren't understanding what needed to be done (because I didn't understand what needed to be done)... so I changed the activity to adapt the kids and to make it easier to complete.

"Write an addition sentence with the number of dots on each domino. So 1 dot plus 3 dots equals 4 dots. Then place the domino on the card that has the total number on it; match 'em up. Let's see which number card gets the most!"

After the initial group rotated, the following groups went really well (one boy said that it was his favorite!). I found a system that worked with the students. Organization was key.

I talked with A about her full-prac plans, and she wants to work in a more urban setting... yay for me!... so, I asked Ms. DT the big question that is on all pre-pracs' minds in their placements...

Would you like a full-prac student next semester?

And she said yes! I think I may quite possibly have one less burden to worry about! As long as the principal approves and my grad program gives the papers, it's a done deal. I'll be in 2nd grade all year. :)

I seem to enjoy making myself insanely stressed because I'm now picking up a grading job at a local charter school for some extra money (after my little bit of a female emotional "I don't like not having a job and worrying about money" grad student spiel the other night, this would somehow make me not worry? I'm still figuring that one out). It'll also get me to see student development in the older years, a wide spectrum of comprehension and skills (what I hope to instill in my students). I have an interview sometime next week. Being an "English TA" (the official title) is so ideal because it's so flexible... I pick up student work on Friday afternoons and then drop it back off on Sunday. AND I actually get to use my B.A. for something! It's only a bonus that I love editing (oh, red pen, how I adore you, even though I don't like your bright color). So, yes, if I seem zombie-esque, it is quite possible I have become one.

I'm only young once to shove as much into my schedule as humanly possible because once I become the world's best teacher-mom ever, my schedule will hardly allow saving the education system, too. ;)

- Miss Chelsea :)

P.S. EDIT: Best Comment of the Day--

So in a moment of "oh my gosh, what the heck am I doing?!" I threw my arms up and pretty much exclaimed, "I just want to run away and join animal photographers of the WORLD, become a nomad, and take pictures of the most awesome animals ever!"

My surrogate sister wrote to me and responded, "Think of the children!!! What will they do without teh Chelsea? 'Oh, no, I don't know how to read and there's no one to teach me! I'll grow up to be functionally illiterate like Anna Nicole Smith!' " and proceeded to give a story about how she debates with her whole law school decision, too... then said, "So you hang in there too, so I can have smarter clients to defend!"

And when all else fails, I will just watch everyone's favorite Yipyips. :) Between that comment and those crazy martians, I got more laughs than anything today. I was able to send flowers to my aunt for her birthday today, too, and it made her smile so that made me smile. In the grand scheme of things, what really matters is people, friends, families, and relationships. Not grades, diplomas, or certifications. Those mean nothing if you don't have a life filled with joy.