Dear Past Me,
I want to start off this letter by letting you know that your future self is less than 24 hours away from completing her Student Teaching semester. I know you had yourself convinced that you wouldn't, but YOU SURVIVED!!! You did it. And you had to have a lot (A LOT) of help and encouragement along the way - but you did it.
You have never said this out loud to anyone except Shea, but the only reason you decided to major in education was because you didn't think you were capable of doing anything else. Education seemed like an easy way to get through college and earn a job shortly after graduation. Little did you know that your passion and knowledge in education would grow immensely in your four short years.
Your passion for education would be ignited your freshman year as a Co-op student at an elementary school. You'll quickly realized elementary education is SO not for you, but those kids will steal your heart anyway. Those 5-10 year old kids will teach you so much over the two years at that elementary school.
Then, you and Shea will decide to switch to Secondary Education in English Language Arts. You'll be terrified. You'll tell yourself you're not intelligent enough, deep enough, witty enough to be an English major. You will threaten to drop out after the first day of your poetry class. Actually, you'll threaten to drop out because of every English class you'll take for the next two years - which is a lot, by the way. But you won't. Your intelligence, your depth, and your wit will surprise you.
Core I will terrify the hell out of you. Your first placement will be at one of the toughest schools in the district. You'll sit outside the school in your car and just pray that none of the students will talk to you. In Core II, you'll move to a middle school and meet the most amazing Mentor Teacher. You don't know it yet, but you'll get to stay in his classroom for the next year and a half in Core III and IV. He will teach you so much about education, but more importantly about life. Try not to take it too personal when you're stuck with a substitute. Those days will be your most challenging, but they'll also be the ones that teach you the most.
Student Teaching will be the most challenging semester of your life. You'll struggle financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Even on your second-to-last day of Student Teaching, you'll stumble and be unsure of yourself. Keep pushing. Be reflective. You jumped through all the hoops of Student Teaching. You should be so proud of yourself! I know I am.
Love,
Sarah
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteNot only did you do it, but you did it SO well! I have loved being able to work with you this semester. You made an impact on many students, but you also made an impact on me.
I learned so much from working with you and I gained a valuable friendship. I know we have already exchanged gifts and heartfelt notes, but as our last day at school comes to an end, I am so thankful to have you as a friend and fellow teacher.
I am confident that we will take advantage of working near each other next year.
I will always have a shoulder you can lean on for the stressful, but EXCITING days ahead.
Thanks for everything,
Erin
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of you! I have loved going through this journey with you and I know you are going to be the most amazing teacher.
Thank you for always being there for me when I feel down or need reassurance. Know that I will always be here for you, too - even when you're "the worst teacher ever".
I'm sure we will be tested plenty more times as we begin our professional careers as teachers, but I'm grateful to have you by my side every step of the way.
Love you!
Shea
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI, for one, am so glad you didn't drop out after the first day of poetry class. Student teaching was incredibly hard and I would have never known you were doubting yourself in class - you always seem so collected and knowledgeable.
Congratulations on finding your path - that is a HUGE accomplishment. :) I know you're going to find tremendous success in your role as a teacher.
~ Keely
“Your intelligence, your depth, and your wit will surprise you.”
ReplyDeleteYes! Bravo to you, Ms. Brill, for listening to your heart and realizing you’re not only worthy of this profession, you are a gift to it. Enjoy your first year of teaching and beyond.