handwritten on July 9, 2015
We woke up quite early this particular morning, packed our bags and traveled the streets for some morning breakfast before embarking on our journey to visit family in rural, Changsha. A driver met us in the market and such began our three hour journey to the other side of the world (it felt like.) Our driver was quite the man. I felt like, during some parts of our trip, we were speeding along dirt paths at roughly 90 miles an hour. As one should know, there are no speed limits in rural China-you simply travel at the pace you wish to travel.
I was told before landing at our destination that we were going to meet the extended family at a restaurant. Eventually, we landed at what looked to be...
handwritten on July 8, 2015
The very first day in Changsha, I was still trying hard to become accustomed to the time change. In the morning, I walked around the outdoor markets for the very first time. The interesting thing about China is that as soon as you walk outside, you are hit with four or five different scents all at once. At times, I must admit, it was a sensory overload. That particular morning, I purchased a golden, twisted, fried dough stick which tasted delicious. I also realized just how cheap the food actually was. In fact four or five different fried dough sticks cost barely one dollar in USD. In addition to my fried dough (agreed not very healthy), I purchased this bean tea. I was informed, many times...
handwritten on May 29, 2015
It has been quite some time since my last student teaching placement. Actually, it has been precisely 2 months. I must say that my middle school placement was by far one of the most challenging placements I have yet to experience. I was a push-in inclusion teacher. Thus, I was forced to work with a variety of teachers and personalities, which was admittingly challenging. However, I think what was more challenging was actually experiencing or having the opportunity to teach and work with middle school students. Middle School students are much different than elementary students. Elementary students (for the most part) want to be loved. They are innocent, they are endearing and they are...
handwritten on May 26, 2015
Upon graduation, it became increasingly evident to me that the hard work was only beginning. Alas, it was not time for relaxing but time to begin substitute teaching as well as job searching. I must say that I am now prouder than ever to have received my teaching certificate from the state of Pennsylvania. The interview process to score a job in the state of Pennsylvania is nothing short of challenging, exhausting and sometime frustrating. Unlike other careers, there is not simply one interview but often four or five rounds of interviews before you are even considered as a potential candidate for a particular school district. Thousands of teachers apply for one or two teaching positions for...
handwritten on March 1, 2015
I finally had an excellent day this past Friday. I think one of the most difficult aspects of this placement has been this idea of "co-teaching" correctly. Up until this semester, I had always heard of the various forms of co-teaching but never before had I found myself in a co-teaching placement. I had always felt, in my heart that co-teaching would be somewhat challenging because it involves multiple personality types working together to deliver a successful lesson. I was certainly right in my thinking.
I have not been as confident this semester as I was last semester. Perhaps this is because I am working with middle schoolers. However, I think the major difference has been trying to...
