Student Teaching Adventure Continues...

I have been in my middle school for three whole weeks now. Wow! It’s crazy. Time is zooming by, but each day is jammed packed with excitement and challenges.

Rewarding/Wonderful times:

·         Receiving a sweet card/drawing from one of my students

·         Having my students say “Good morning, Ms. Griffin”

·         Hanging out with my students at lunch

·         When my students are actively engaged in the lesson

·         When the students saw the example of an activity for science and they were excited about it

·         Reading my students writing journals because it gives me a chance to get to know them

·         Driving to and from school because the drive is absolutely beautiful

·         Re-explaining information and seeing the students have an “A-Ha” moment

Challenging times:

·         Chatting students and getting them to follow the expectations

·         Writing and developing lesson plans

·         Lacking in sleep…every night

·         Being flexible with scheduling

·         Not being around in College Lodge especially for my residents

·         Not exercising at much because any free time I have, I want to sleep

This past week, I taught for three full days. My cooperating teacher had family issues to handle, so I took over the class.  It was overwhelming at times, but a learning experience at the same time. While the students drive me crazy sometimes, I really love them. Each of them are so unique and already have a special place in my heart.

Today, we had testing, so the schedule was all crazy. The time that we had for teaching, we ended up letting the students have free period/watching educational videos. This week, I will be working through The Westing Game during literature time.  In science, I will be making clouds out of cotton rounds (I can’t say “balls” in class, but the students will lose it). We will also be reviewing material on the atmosphere, water cycle, and clouds. I plan on teaching them study strategies, playing a review game, and hopefully give a test at the end of the week.

A goal that I have for myself is to work on classroom management especially with the chatting and talkativeness. It can get pretty tough at the end of the day and that is when my patience is low.

God has really been challenging me the past few weeks. I need to make an effort to make time for Him every day. My days need to be God-centered in order for me to have a spirit-filled life. I noticed my spirit not being the same, when I don’t make time for Him. I am thankful that I have a relationship with such a faithful and loving God that hasn’t given up on me.

Have a great week everyone. I hope you are able to make time for God and allow Him to fill up your life.

Until next time,

K

You know you are student teaching when...

You know you are student teaching when....

1. You have to make 55 copies of a 15-page paper and forgot to push the SORT button on the copier.
2. You only want to sleep when you have free time.
3. You accidentally wear the school uniforms' colors and blend in with the students.
4. You freaked out the first time you taught a lesson and was "in charge" of the class.
5. You feel like you should be walking in the line with the students because for the last 18 years or so you have been called a "student"
6. You only want to sleep when you have free time.
7. Some of the students still have a tendency to call you Ms. and then your first name (Ex: Ms. Kacey)
8. You wonder how you will ever be able to write lesson plans for 3 or four different classes, when it takes you at least an hour or so to write them for one class.
9. You spend more time getting ready in the morning than while you were in classes because now you can't just roll out of bed and put whatever on.
10. You panic at least once a week wondering if this is the career you are supposed to be doing because it feels so overwhelming right now.
11. You sometimes get mistaken for being a student (I think this has more to do with me looking so young. Oops!)
12. You only want to sleep when you have free time.

I know there has been more things that have occurred this past week during student teaching. Last week was my first full week of school. I was still doing alot of observing, but still interacting with the students. It has been great so far! I am realizing that sleep deprivation is in the fine print of the job description. O well! I will catch up on that during the weekends.

This week is shorter due to Labor Day and an unexpected trip home. However, I started teaching the literature class and a science class this week. I am planning the literature class lessons. We are working through The Westing Game. Yesterday we made a character analysis chart and discussed the main events going on in the story. It's an excellent book, and I am hoping to get through at much as possible before the next unit starts. In science, we are learning about the water cycle. I am teaching this class at the end of the day, so I have a lot of chatty students, but most of them seem really engaged with whats going on.

I hope you have a great day! God bless!

Until next time,
K

Student Teaching: Day 1

Today was my first official day of STUDENT TEACHING.
It really felt like the first day of middle school or high school for me. Back then the first day of school was always a challenge for me. Well, more like the night before was a challenge, because I would be so excited and anxious, I could not sleep at all. This happened last night. I kept tossing and turning and was afraid I would over sleep on my first day. Thankfully I did not over sleep and even had enough time this morning to go to the cafeteria for a delicious breakfast. (Sidenote: People hate on our cafeteria, but the breakfast is always great and is the most consistently good meal they have besides the salad bar).

I was not nervous at all today. I visited the school last Tuesday (first day of school for the students), so I felt comfortable with the school and my cooperating teacher. At this stage, I am still in mainly observation mood. I try to help my teacher out as much as possible without getting in her way. I am learning her system for how she does thing so the transition from her teaching to my teaching runs smoothly for the students. I want to be involved with the students as much as possible so they feel comfortable interacting with me. I am feeling a little hesitant because I don't know how much is OKAY for me at this point. I don't want to interfere with what the teacher is doing. I am still trying to step out of my comfort level and be a little bolder.

The students seem wonderful. Each one of them with their own set of challenges. At this point, I think most of them still see me as just an observer of the classroom and don't realize I will be eventually teaching them. I would like for them to start seeing me as a teacher in the next week or so and get a better understanding of why I am there.

Today was a LONG day, but it was a good one. It was REAL. All of the education classes and even general education classes have lead up to this point. It is all finally coming together to be one amazing and challenging and rewarding semester.

Goals for myself for the next few days for student teaching:
1. Learn all 46(ish) students names.
2. Learn behavior policies and procedures
3. Help the students get organized and stay organized
4. Make effort to get to know the students in some way or another.

Until next time,
K

Last Chapter of the Book?

This passed week, I just finished reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett. (Sidenote: It was an excellent book, and I highly recommend to anyone looking for a good read.). As I got to the last page, I wasn't ready for the book to end, but like any good book, it must come to an end.
I realized this coming semester of college like the last chapter of a really good book. I want to know what's going to happen, so it will eventually come to an end. I am excited to experience it. To meet people. To grow. To be challenged. But in order for me to do all these things, I have to go through.  When I think about this semester, I am constantly reminded of how fast it is going to fly by. The past three years have flown by, which means this last semester is going to go by fast if not faster.

At times, I am a little scared of what the future holds after college. I have grown accustomed to this life in college, and it has become so comfortable for me. It's scary to think about the new life I will be in with having a job, etc. I am not worried about where I will end or what kind of job I will have because I know God will be revealing that to me every step of the way.

So here is to my last semester of college: Let's make it a great one filled with memories that will be lasting! Let's make these last pages in the book of our college years a great one. Let's be bold in everything we do and give what ever I do one hundred percent of my effort. Let's enjoy the blessings God gives us and work through the challenges we face. Above all else, let's love unconditionally towards our Father and others.

Until next time,
K

Argentina Summer Project - Final Week

Reality really set in this week when I realized this was the last full week in Argentina. Very sad! The last part of my trip consisted of being on campus for a few days, having a going away party, and going on a retreat to Colonia, Uruguay. This post will probably be a little longer than the rest, because I will be writing about a 1 ½ weeks of activities.

Monday (Day 36) – Today, Argentina celebrated a national holiday, Flag Day, therefore the campuses were all close.  My team took a trip to La Plata, which is a small city outside of Buenos Aires. It was about a hour bus ride to get there. It was a beautiful and quiet town. By the time we arrived and had lunch, we didn’t have much time to site-see unfortunately. It was nice to hang out with everyone and to have a relaxing day.

Wednesday (Day 38) – Today was our last “work” day for painting at the Ag Project. There was a lot to still be painted so a group of us went to campus at 8:30 AM to paint. We worked until 12ish, and took a little break and continued painting until 6PM. It was a lot of work, but we got a good bit completed! This was also the last time we saw our friends Carolina, Angie, Noelia, and Vale. It was hard saying goodbye to them! Jessie and I wrote them cards and I gave them some headbands I made.

Thursday (Day 39) – Today was our last day on campus. It was weird that we wouldn’t be coming back to this campus anymore. It had become another home for me. I was actually a little nervous about today because I felt lead to giving my friend Maria Sol my English Bible. A few weeks before she had mentioned wanting an English Bible to read and to practice her English, but was having a hard time finding one in Argentina. I will never forget the joy on her face when I gave her my Bible. She is an amazing sister in Christ, and I am glad to been impacted by her and her love for God. We had English Club at 12, which is a chance for the Argentine students to practice their English. My friend, Melisa got ready to leave a few hours later and could not find her bag anywhere! Someone had stolen it :( She was more concerned about her school supplies than anything else because she had a test a few days later. She was able to get a study guide from one of her classmates, and Jessie and I helped her out too.  Melisa was pretty stressed out by the situation (I would be too), but she handled herself very well and I admire her for that.

Friday (Day 40) – I took this day to pack and do some last minute shopping. That evening, we had a going away party and some of my friends from campus came to it! It was really hard saying goodbye to everyone.

Saturday (Day 41) – Today, my team left for a retreat in Colonia, Uruguay. We took a 45 minute ferry ride to this small town. It was right on the water. It kind of reminded me of a smaller version of Charleston. We stayed in a Hostel (http://www.elviajerohostels.com/) here. I was expecting a run-down building, but it was very nice! That night, the hostel owners made us an asado. It was delicious! A guy came in and played some flamenco music for us.

Sunday (Day 42) – This morning we had some praise and worship time. For lunch, I had fajitas. That was the first time since I left the US that I had fajitas. I explored Colonia with some people and even got to go in a little lighthouse. That night, I shared my testimony with the group (everyone on my team shared their testimony). I was very nervous, but I just let the Holy Spirit do the talking :) Later that night, a group of us went star gazing. O my gosh! Absolutely gorgeous. I saw a few shooting stars and even saw the Southern Cross, which is only found in the Southern Hemisphere.

Monday (Day 43) – Today was even more of a chill day than the other two days in Uruguay. I forgot to mention, but I took a LONG nap each day in Uruguay. They said this was our free time and we could relax and that’s how I wanted to relax. The lack of sleep from the past six weeks finally caught up to me in Uruguay. I did a little more sight-seeing today, and ended the night with dinner at this nice restaurant. I ate teriyaki chicken with peppers and rice. One of the best meals of the entire trip and probably the best service of the entire trip.

Tuesday/Wednesday (Day 44 & 45) – Today, we packed up and said goodbye to Uruguay and hello again to Argentina. Today I did the most traveling I have ever done before. We took a ferry back to Buenos Aires. We then took the subway to Vida Estundiantil’s office where our extra luggage was kept. We then got on a bus to take us to the airport. It ended up taking a really long time to get our tickets and go through customs. Our plane was supposed to take off at 8:25 PM, and I didn’t get to the terminal gate until 8:10. Let’s just say I was little on edge for awhile there for fear we would all miss the plane. However, we all made it! I tried napping on the plane, but I was too excited to return home. We arrived in Miami at 4:30 AM. I felt like I had just been here a few days before to leave for Argentina. My first meal back in the States was a Cinnabun. Not the best choice, but was the only thing open and close by to my terminal. I flew to Atlanta with a small layover and was back in Charlotte in the early afternoon. I was home.

I could probably go on and on about my adventures and stories in Argentina. So many amazing things happened. This just a little taste of what I experienced and saw. Please feel free to ask any questions :)

Until next time,

K

Argentina Summer Project - Week 5

By Week 5, our time in Argentina was coming to a close. We still had another week after this one, but it was becoming more real by this point that we would be going home soon. June 14th marked ONE MONTH since I had left for Argentina. The time seemed to fly by. This was a tougher week because one minute I would be homesick and so ready to be home with my family and friends and then the next minute I didn't want to leave Argentina.
Monday (Day 29) - One of the conversations I had on campus today really impacted me. I talked with three girls sitting together: one believed in the Bible and knew a lot of the basic fundamentals. One believed in God, but not Jeus. And one girl did not believe in God at all, but believed in energy. I mean, these are very different viewpoints, and they all feel "correct" in their beliefs. When I tried to present the Gospel to them, they were opened and willing to listen, until I asked about sin and if they believed they sinned. They shut off after this point. We need Jesus to wipe away our sins, but if you don't believe in Jesus or that you have sin...well, it goes against the Gospel. Once I returned to the hotel, we had a dance party and learned some salsa! It was absolutely wonderful and sparked my interest in ballroom and latin style dancing.

Tuesday (Day 30) - We began our service project for the Ag Campus today. Basically everything you see that is red is what needed to be painted. And there are TWO buildings on the Ag Campus that needed to be painted. Lets just say we stayed pretty busy on the days we painted. It was awesome way for us to be able to give back to the students and to advertise Vida Estudiantial.

Thursday (Day 32) - We went to campus as usual this morning, but another campus joined along to help us paint the Ag Campus. It was wonderful having more friends with us on our campus. We had a great time working together and being silly. That night, we had our group Bible Study. Our sweet sweet Bible Study leaders, Shannon and Rene made us sphagetti, broccoli, and peanut butter brownies.

Friday (Day 33) - Another campus joined us again today for painting. Today was pretty special because a group of girls we (Jessie and I) have been meeting with regularly gave us a gift. It was a box of Alfahores and a deck of Spanish playing cards. I am so thankful for our friendships with them and being able to spend so much time with them over the six weeks we were there.



Saturday (Day 34) - This day would be one of the most memorable days of the entire trip. We went to an orphanage that was outside the city. We helped paint the orphanage, put on a skit for the children, and playing with the children. During "play" time, I got EXTREMELY attacked to a little girl named Augustina. She kind of reminded me of myself when I was a little girl. Even though she couldn't understand English and didn't really talk much herself, she was so full of love and would constantly chase after me and give me hugs. I would point to my cheek and ask her: "Un besito, por favor" ...Which means "A little kiss, please". I didn't think I was saying it right, but then she gave me a "besito". It was the sweetest thing. This service project was difficult for me, because I realized how many children are orphaned, and I wonder what will happen to these children in the future. I pray that each of these children in the orphanage will be able to experience God's love and know that they are HIS children. This project also sparked a desire in me to work with orphaned children and to figure out how God can use me in this situation.

Until next time,

K

Argentina Summer Project - Week 4

I will try to recap as much as possible in this post and the ones to follow about Argentina. I should have posted much sooner about my adventures, so hopefully I can piece together from my memory and my journal.

By Week 4, I really felt like I was finally settled in and felt like Argentina was other home for me (besides Fort Mill and Charleston). I was in a routine and kind of felt like I knew what I was doing over there. Of course, it was still challenging at times, especially when I would present the Gospel to the students on campus. Each encounter would present its own challenges, and I had to rely on the Holy Spirit to lead me through those conversations.

Monday - When I went to campus, I encountered two different girls that went I started to present the Gospel, they completely shut off from the conversation. I knew this would eventually happen at some point, but it was extremely disheartening when people would not listen at all. Later that day on campus, I encountered Atheist, which was my first time having conversations with people that didn't believe there was any god. Monday night was team fun time and we watched "Despicable Me". It is such a kids movie, but adorable none the less!

Friday - When I went to campus, I got to hang out with four girls I met during Week 2:  Vale, Caro, Angie, and Noelia. I had been meeting with them once a week with my teammate, Jessie. These four girls are awesome and have such a fun and loving spirit. This day in particular, they invited us to their Accounting class. Of course, I would not pass up an opportunity to go to Argentine class! It was VERY interesting, and I have NO idea was going on. Haha. Friday evening, Vida Estudiantial (its the Campus Crusade for Christ of Argentina) had an event at our hotel. The topic was "Why bad things happen?" This is a topic that is hard for people to grasp...Non-Christians and Christians. It is a tough subject for me to handle at times. The turn out was great to the event, and there were alot of great responses to it.

Saturday - The Evangelism team spent the afternoon preparing for the skit we would be doing for the children in the poorer part of the city. We had visited this area the previous Saturday. I was excited to see the children again and to put on a skit for them! It was so awesome that the children remembered us and would run up to us and give us all hugs. The Gospel was presented to their parents later that night. We didn't find out until later, but many of the parents were interested in joining a Bible study and one man even became a believer. It was hard saying goodbye to the children and to the church people we worked with. It is amazing how fast we formed friendships with them all. After working with these children for two Saturdays, it really gave me a passion even more for working with children but also to work with less fortunate ones.
This week, I experienced alot of challenges, but experienced many blessings as well.

Until next time,
K