Watch out, students!

I've been on somewhat of an educational hiatus. In fact, I don't even remember the last time I took a class. It must have been sometime this spring, but I don't really remember when. Or what it was about. But I remember being sick with pregnancy over Christmas and also almost failing a class during that time. And then I took a couple weeks' break and then took my last class, I think. And I think it was about distance education, special education, or maybe curriculum planning.

Anyway.

After taking the better part of a year off, I'll be starting my student teaching sometime this spring!! I just got a call today from my education specialist at UoP, and he told me I got my placement. Wahoo! I'll be working at an alternative high school up here in Idaho.

Last year I worked at one in Utah, and I loved so many things about it. I loved how the teachers were so willing to help the students. They were always trying new things and trying to come up with new ideas to motivate the students, help them learn, and move them on towards graduation and then to real life.

The teacher I worked with, Kelly, was the guy who started the program that later became the school. I would talk to him about it, and I remember one conversation in particular. I asked him how he decided to start his afterschool program and why he wanted the challenge of working with the failing students. He said something about enjoying a challenge, and then, "Anyone can teach AP students."

That really got me thinking. I would love to teach at a school where every student is curious, takes initiative, finishes their assignments, and comes prepared to participate in class discussions. Wouldn't that be ideal? Or would it?

Kelly was right: where's the challenge in that?

I got to spend a year watching Kelly teach classes, keeping a large percentage of the students actively engaged in learning. I got to see some of the other teachers at our school use their talents and skills to reach our students. I learned so much!

So I decided that when I did my student teaching, would I rather work with a teacher who would show me how to make AP classes even more AP? Um, no. That's not where I lack skills. I need help learning to reach the students who don't care. I want to learn to manage a classroom of rowdies. I would love to watch a master at work, taking cues from their example and taking pointers on my own efforts. I would hate to have a student teaching experience in a classroom of young eager beavers and then someday flail on my own in a classroom of struggling students.

So I'm super excited to be doing my student teaching next semester!

PS: I also like the fact that there's a daycare on campus. I'll check it out first, of course, but I think it would be ideal for Penny to be able to come to school with me, and I could go check on her during my lunch hour (half hour) (few minutes). :)