16 June 2009

Finally, an ending

It's been a while, but I sort of just realized that I never really ended my student teaching experience. Oops...

Sorry to all my faithful fellow followers out there (alliteration = COOL!)

I will say that my student teaching experience was one of the best learning experiences of my life. I hope the Education is happy I said that...

But really, I absolutely loved it. I miss my little rural high school and all its funny little country quirks, but I loved it even more because it was so different.

You remember that class that I had such a hard time with at the beginning of my semester? They rubbed off on me and became one of my favorite classes! Funny how the tide turns sometimes, isn't it?

I really enjoyed all of my classes and some of them I didn't want to end (like my geography class). Those kids were all like little sponges absorbing any information that I gave them with intense curiosity. So much so that I did more extra research for that class than any of the other classes. It's wonderful getting to teach the things you actually care about! I do love history, but I think in some way I like geography more. I don't know why. I think I just do.

But in all of the subjects I am supposed to be able to teach, the most interesting thing I think that I know I love is the sociology and psychology behind every aspect of human life. I am constantly asking "why?" and "what for?" because if you think about it, social perspectives are the sole reason we do anything. History is not just about names, dates, and facts - its about people's lives, how they think and react to situations, and the reasons they react they way they do. That's what makes history so interesting. If you take out the psychological aspects, all you have are facts on a timeline that mean NOTHING! I don't want history to mean nothing. I want it to mean something to each student that I relay information to. Every class period I try to bring up some question asking why they think people did the things they did. Most of the time, I get some decent answers. Other times I get nothing but silence. But either way, students are learning and it's making my subject that much more important in the grand scheme of things. If all you do in history is teach names, dates, and facts, you aren't teaching history. You are teaching timeline. History is about all the OTHER things that make those events we talk about so important. Why grace over them? You negate the entire purpose of learning about the past if you do!

Sorry, went on a tirade there. I will break down my soap box and talk about something else if that's okay with you.

It better be.

Cause this is my time.

Obey my rules.

Muah hahahaah!!!!


Ok, that was a little unnecessary... I apologize...


Back to seriousness.


I truly enjoyed my learning experience in Rural Town, Arkansas. I know I will never ever forget the kids who taught me how to be a better teacher. How to care as a teacher. How to love as a teacher. How to support as a teacher. How to.... everything as a teacher.

Everything was invaluable. I go back and read the things that I have learned and think to myself "I should have known that then!" but I'm glad I didn't. What would have been the point of student teaching, then?

I still don't know everything - nor will I ever. But I look forward to sharing what I have learned in other classrooms as I am called forth to spread the educational gospel - Social Studies.

Since my time as a student teacher, I have tried my best to utilize what I have learned. I hope I have done a good job and made other schools proud to have me on their payroll.

These are the memoirs of a fledgling teacher.

I still love my job every day. I can't imagine doing anything in the world other than bringing some light to a new future.

With love on a historical slant,

Aimee