The end

My last and final field experience before student teaching is officially over. Getting up at 5:30am every day is over, driving an hour there and back is over, and seeing 23 smiling faces every morning, is over.

I think back to the Sunday before it all started. I was dreading the four week experience like no other. My mom told me multiple times to change my attitude (something that I am continuously working on) and to "knock it off". Sometimes you need to be talked to like a 5 year old to make you realize you are acting like a 5 year old.

I remember that first morning when my alarm went off at 5:30. Pretty sure I said a few choice words before stumbling to the shower with one eye open. Getting in to the car full of 3 other crabby friends didn't help my cause either. We arrives in Faribault and walked in to the school. "Only 19 more days to go" we all said.

When I walked in to meet my teacher, my immediate fears and nerves washed away. He was tall, dark, and handsome to say the least. As the kids started to arrive, I realized that they were different than kids that I had previously worked with. No, these kids weren't white, middle-class, come from a good background. No, these kids were ELL (english language learners), their skins were beautiful shades of browns, tans, whites, and their clothes were worn. I was in for a new dose of reality.

As the weeks went on, I learned more about myself as a teacher and person than I ever thought I would. My teacher was AWESOME and made me feel so great after I taught each lesson. He gave me feedback as well as a few smart remarks to keep the fun going such as "maybe you should try singing and dancing a little."

The staff at the school were incredible. All the kindergarten teachers ate lunch together and every Friday we would go out to eat (sorry waistline, it was only for 4 weeks. Deal with it). I thought numerous times over the course of those 4 weeks that I wouldn't mind going to work every day if it meant going to that school, having that staff as my coworkers, and teaching those little kids.

Another life lesson has been learned. Have an open mind. I dreaded this clinical more than anything and look what happend? I had the best experience and am now wishing it wasn't over.