A Few Of My Favorite Things

Since Tuesday was my last day student teaching... I figured I would make a list of a few of my favorite parts of student teaching. It was such an amazing experience that reassured me that I am definitely in the right lane of work. Although teaching has it's rough aspects, I can honestly say that I loved it!
I loved the atmosphere, the style, my fellow teachers, the attitudes, the activities, the lessons, the questions, the conversations, but most of all... The students.

I loved starting each day with students eager to learn. I loved the challenging classroom management at times. I loved the smile on the students faces when they felt a sense of accomplishment by acing a test. I loved the light in their eyes when they were recognized for doing something special. I even loved the smart Alec comments that the students made that made it difficult to not blurt out a comeback. I especially loved the moments when the class was genuinely engaged in the lesson for their benefit, not just for the grade. I loved the random conversations I would over hear. I loved watching the kids try to be sneaky with their cell phones or iPods. I loved seeing the students attempt to flirt with each other. I loved how much they cared about me. I loved the notes they gave me that made me grin and tear up a bit. I loved that they told me they would miss me and never forget me. I loved that they gave me a class hug in several classes. I loved that they told me I was one of their favorite teachers. I loved student teaching.

Some cute farewell gifts I received...
A hand drawn portrait of myself
A pumpkin pie made in foods class
Several notes on the whiteboard
Thank you notes written in seminary
A Poem
A quote one of the students made up that said: "the best teachers aren't remembered for what they teach, but for the students they helped... And you helped a lot."
A class letter from 3rd period
Three letters from students that made me cry
A note from a student offering to beat up any students that caused me trouble
The promises made to come visit me at basketball practices and games

Student teaching will go down in the books as one of the best experiences ever, even if it did leave Jake and I totally broke!