Challenging

So today my 3rd period students decided to start testing me to see what they can get away with. It was pretty much my fault. I made a sarcastic comment and they took it and ran with it and I didn't stop them. It wasn't horrible, but it was certainly a learning experience. Which is, of course, why I am there. I'm there to make mistakes and to be corrected by my master teacher, but it is hard when everything has been going along pretty well, so have something pretty frustrating happen. This thing that bothers me the most is that I knew that the class was a bit out of control and I knew that I was having a hard time harnessing their energy, but I didn't think it was such a big deal until my master teacher kinda unloaded. I was a little taken aback by her vehemence. I understand what she was saying, but I'm not sure that I agree with her entirely. I do need to definitely watch the sarcastic comments because at 11 and 12 they just don't get it all the time, and yet they try to throw it back and it doesn't work. And I do need to stomp on the little rebellions, but I didn't think that it was too horribly bad.
My 7th graders on the other hand. I did a lesson that my master teacher in that class had prepared. They were all basically falling asleep. Literally. It was a video that they were supposed to be answering questions about and I was going through and pointing out where the answers to the questions were and they rewinding the tape so that they could watch that section again. Literally half the classroom was zoned out. I'm going to be writing my own lesson plans for that one in the future. Starting tomorrow, they are going to be awake! No more of this sleeping stuff.
Student teaching overall is going well. I am going to be a good teacher. I am frustrated at this point because I really just want to have my own classroom and be working on that, but I know I need this so that things that happened today will happen very rarely in my own room. It is a very strange position to be in when you are borrowing someone else's room, kids and materials. It is almost more stressful that having your own room, but at least this way you get feedback. I don't know how people who are defensive deal with this because I had a moment or two when I did not want to listen to criticism and I have had a lot of experience with it! Craziness. Oh well. At least I'm down to exactly four months from today.

Student Teaching

I started student teaching this week. For those of you who aren't familiar with the process, it is my last step in becoming a real teacher. A real PAID teacher that is. It is also very hard. Not only do I have to take control of the classroom, but I am being watched and critiqued constantly by two master teachers. I have been observing them for going on three weeks now, so I sort of know them, but on the other hand, I am a stranger in their rooms and they are expected to simply give over the reins to me. Of course, they agreed to be master teachers, and I'm sure there is some form of compensation, but it must be hard for them to deal with.
So far I think I've done a good job. Nothing too major has happened. Of course, I am only three days into taking the classroom over completely, so it is still very early in the process. I did a cute little power point and they all liked it. Then I had them write me a letter about themselves. Some of their stories were sad. Some were happy. Nothing too crazy. My students are accelerated students, so they are the top of the school. However, they are only 11, so their problems are pretty varied. I have kids who barely reach my shoulder and I have kids who are five inches taller than me. The grouping of students is absolutely crazy. To have this wide variety of psychological and physical development all shoved together in one place is pretty nuts. Oh well. It is fun. I am having a good time. I guess that is all that matters. If I hated it, I would have wasted the last two years.