It’s OK
It’s OK if you’ve hated your student teaching
experience – it doesn’t mean you hate teaching.
It’s OK if there are 33 teaching days left for
you and you still don’t have a job nor know where you’re going.
It’s OK if the first time you try an activity,
it wasn’t as smooth sailing as you’d have liked.
It’s OK if every lesson plan you have, you look
back and see glaring flaws that only popped up when presented to students.
It’s OK if you put off your KPTP until the
last minute.
It’s OK if you want to take a break for a year
and pursue a different dream.
It’s OK if you look around your MT’s room and
it doesn’t look anything like the great classroom you’ve designed in your head.
It’s OK if you struggle, if you
cry, if you wonder if teaching is for you.
It’s OK if you put down all the stuff
you’re doing and just sit down and eat your lunch.
It’s OK, OK, OK
It’s OK because the kids who hang out after
the bell rings to show you their treasures and to tell you their stories.
It’s OK because of the kids who hug you in the
hall.
It’s OK because of the kids who read a book
all the way through for the first time in your class.
It’s OK because of the lesson plan that went exactly
like you imagined it.
It’s OK because of the kids who make you laugh
until you’ve got to sit down.
It’s OK because of the positive feedback from
a university supervisor that gives you hope.
It’s OK because of everything that makes every
teacher stay…
Kids are the best.
Bailey,
ReplyDeleteI feel like you have truly captured the essence of the student teaching year. We have made mistakes and are slowly learning from them. It can be challenging to see the end goal we all have because of the struggles in the classroom. Maybe we do not feel the full support of our MTs or we want to try something new but do not know if we will be allowed to.
I love that you end your genre reflection with a sense of hope. This is one semester of our lives where we learn what it will be like in the real world. The small moments is what will make it all worth it (and when we get those licenses and degrees). Like you said there are only 33 teaching days left (hard to believe) and I know you will see great things from your students during those times.
Love, love, love! It is ALL okay. This is my favorite image: "It’s OK because of the kids who make you laugh until you’ve got to sit down." I can picture it. Keep showing them how much you enjoy them, Bailey. Love it.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I wish I'd had this to read when I was student teaching.
ReplyDelete