Sara Jane

Hi everyone,

So I started off the year thinking that the students would just generally like me and listen to what I have to say (I have no idea why I thought this). This, of course, has not turned out to be the case. There are the students in each of my classes who do not stop talking no matter what, it is so annoying! So in result I have become Ms. Storrer the hardass and I actually like it. I am surprised by how easy it is for me to be strict with the students. Lately, if students are talking when I am talking I stop and then tell them that this is their warning and from now on I will be keeping them a minute after class. It really works. Students actually start telling each other to be quiet so they don’t have to stay after. I have never actually had to make the students stay after either. The threat seems to be enough to scare them into being quiet. In addition, I have also began to send students to sit in the hall while we play a game if they can not seem to handle it (this has only happened once). Anyway the classes have become more manageable and they don’t seem to completely hate me. I was worried about being really strict but I think that as a new teacher I need to be just so that I can get things done. The other day I asked my mentor teacher if she thought I was being too mean and she said “no way” which was great to hear. Anyway, I get off track and start rambling on this blog so sorry if it isn’t linear. I hope all of you are well.By the way does anyone else count down the days until student teaching is over? I do.

Best,

Sara

Alright, open house was awkward. I felt like a little kid in front of the parents. Just when I became semi-comfortable in front of the kids their parents show up. Nothing horrible happened but I really wasn’t comfortable speaking to parents. Luckily, my mentor teacher did most of the talking. On another note, I was surprised by meager showing of parents/guardians at the event. There were about 3-4 parents in each class. I was surprised. When I was growing up I thought everyone went to open house-me and my mom always did. On a more positive note the parents that were there seemed genuinely interested in what their student would be doing that year. I think, as I’m sure you all do, that parent involvement is crucial to student academic success. Another important occurrence this week was my supervisor(Cheryl) visiting. I was nervous for her visit because she is the one who judges if I get my license or not. Talk about high stakes. Anyway, things went fantastic! I told the students the day before that she would becoming and they all behaved well(which they usually do). Anyway 1 visit down 4 to go. Okay well that’s all I have to say. I really hope everyone else is surviving and doing well. Only 2 1/2 more months until graduation!!!

Best,

Sara

Hello budding teachers! I am excited to have made it through the first “real” week of school. This week I found that the mood of my students and classes changes everyday. Somedays I feel that class has gone really well and then conclude that I have gotten through to them. But I have learned that this is not the case. It seems that each day I am starting back at square one with the students. I have learned that you have to take teaching day by day. For me, some days are “good” and some days are “bad.” I guess this keeps it interesting. I do feel that as I get to know my students better this phenomenon may subside. Has anyone else noticed this?

Best,

Sara aka Ms. Storrer