Progress Reminders.

Yesterday, I was reminded that, even though I don't have an actual teaching job yet, that I have made progress. I was a floating sub, and the last room I was in was being taught by a student teacher, one month in, who was doing an excellent job. The class was still a little rowdy, though, and it took me back to last year around this time, when I was receiving a crash course in classroom management in my student teaching assignment.

I want to go back and have a redo. Where's Doc with the time machine?

Rejection 101

I was declined a parapro position at a local school district. I interviewed for it and everything. It's a bummer, but my boyfriend and some of the teachers I talk to a lot have made me feel better about it. With their help, I was able to formulate a pretty effective affirmation to help me handle rejection:

[to self] "So you didn't get the job you applied for. Here's the thing: maybe you were not meant to have it. There is something else out there that is waiting for you, and you'll know when you get there. Make the most of your experience and reflect on what you could have done better, during the interview and otherwise. Don't take it personal."

I'm so anxious to start teaching or working in a school setting. I'm anxious to find out what my life will lead to. But if I knew everything that was going to happen, it would be a pretty boring life. So I'm doing my best to view my situation positively and keep on learning as much as possible. There are a million books to be read and units to plan. If I keep myself busy, things will happen on their own.

Wow. I've been away too long.

I definitely need to be better about keeping up this blog. In a nutshell, here's what I've been doing the last few months:

1. subbing.
2. serving.

I actually had to cut back hours at the restaurant so I can have more time to accomplish other things, such as filling out job applications and maybe allowing myself to start a new creative project.

I've been doing a lot of subbing at one particular elementary school in Ann Arbor. I worked for the first two weeks as a "starter parapro" of sorts, working in the special ed resource room. Most of the students in that room are Autism Spectrum Impaired. Their teacher is amazingly dedicated, and I've enjoyed the work more than I thought I would. I've been subbing at the school often because other teachers have asked me to sub for them as well, mostly because I'm familiar with the students now. They even used me as a "roaming sub" today, so I was able to meet some of the older students.

I've learned a lot in the past month, even though I'm not certified in elementary ed. I figure it doesn't hurt to expose myself to different age groups. It helps me understand where my students are coming from when they get to me.

I'm still unsure about my next step. Washtenaw County is an excellent area to learn how to become an educator. But I don't feel willing to committ to a life here. I've also got my boyfriend to consider. And grad school/post-bach stuff. Hopefully, I'll figure it out soon.