Open House

I surprised my kids today by going back to Solorio to help set up for open house. I swear the best feeling in the world is having the little boogers run up to me and give me a hug. I didn't think I would go through kindergarten withdrawals, but even after one day of being gone, I was so glad to be able to go visit the kids today. I love seeing their faces and hearing their stories. I especially love what they say when they don't know I am listening.

After school Letty and I set up for open house a little, but for the most part her and the parents already had the majority of it done. The room looked amazing!! I couldn't stop staring at everything!

I ate dinner with Kristine and a couple other student teachers and another master teacher. I love listening to Kristine. She can always make me laugh.

During open house I was able to see a lot of my kids from both kinder and 3rd grade. It was really nice, but kind of sad realizing that they only have like 10 days left of school before they move onto the next grade. My dad and stepmom also came to open house which was really great. They were able to see where I have been working for the last school year. It meant a lot to me that they came.

While at open house a couple of parents walked up to me and we talked for a little while.One of my kinder parents walked up to me and thanked me for everything I had done for her daughter and the rest of the class. She said that I did an amazing job with the students and is grateful that her daughter was able to work with me. It is comments like that that allow me to stop questioning why I chose this profession. This mom is in the classroom a lot helping out and working with students. For her to take the time and thank me for the work I have done with the students really meant something to me. The fact that a parent said I did a great job meant something so much more than my university supervisor or master teacher... I feel like Judy and Letty are required to throw positive words towards me, but not parents. The fact that she took the time to talk to me made me feel like I had done something right in these children's lives. There were times when I felt like I was an awful kindergarten teacher, but the fact that she said she enjoyed watching me connect and teach the students really made an impact on me. I have had warm fuzzies all night thanks to her. =)

I will be going back to kinder Friday to sub, and next week I am subbing on Tuesday and Wednesday for Letty too, so it is kind of like I haven't really left at all, which is nice.

Here are the pics from our kinder room. I forgot to take pics of Kristine's.

Hula Party!

Here is the video of my kids dancing at the hula party! Enjoy!

10 Weeks Gone

10 weeks ago I didn't think I would be able to make it through teaching 32 kindergarteners. However, today I completed all ten weeks of my student teaching! I didn't think this day would come, and now that it finally has, I am reliving all of those weeks in my head. My journey was truly a tough one, and one I will never forget. I can honestly say, however, that it saddens me to officially be done with my time at Solorio. I loved having the opportunity to work with all of the faculty and staff at the school, especially my master teachers. I have learned a lot this past year, including how to be more patient, how to better pace myself, and how to roll with the punches. I don't think anyone could have asked for a better experience.

Truth be told, I really am going to miss my kindergarteners. Their personalities are each so wonderful and all their own. I am going to miss seeing them laugh when I make a mistake or dance to a silly song.

I can say, however, that today went off with a bang! We had a luau and all of the kids dressed up in their best Hawaiian garb. I must say, I have never seen anything quite so cute in my life. My kids (well their parents) really know how to go all out! We had a great time. At the end of the day my kids met with their reading buddies and performed the hula for parents, the principals, teachers, several students, and Judy. It was a really fun time. If I can figure out how to upload the video of them dancing I will.

Letty and the students also gave me A TON of gifts. I swear I have so many gifts from students that I am struggling to find room to place them in my room at home. I am so grateful for everything that I was given. Several bags worth of gifts. It was like Christmas but even better. I could cry just thinking about all of the books, markers, pencils, gift-cards, goodie baskets, and hand made cards students and Letty gave me. I love everything!

As mentioned previously, I am sad to have finished my student teaching at Solorio, but I am also excited to see what the future has in store for me. I look forward to soon applying for my teaching credential and hopefully one day soon have my own classroom.

If you are reading this and have supported me in any way throughout my journey, thank you! I can't believe next month I will have my teaching credential and in August I will have my masters!!! eeeeek.

Pictures of the Day:

Here is a collage of my last day. You should be able to click on it to enlarge the photo:

Here are some of my presents from the kids! SO MUCH STUFF!:

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY!

I know I have mentioned this before, but I hate the rain when there is school. Ugh, I was over the rain before the day even started! Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Four kids had to pull their behavior stick because they were misbehaving. That NEVER happens, so you can only imagine how off the wall my kids were.

TWO MORE DAYS LEFT!!! Today I was joking with my class and I pretended to cry because it was almost my last day. They probably thought I was crying out of sadness, but it was a cry of joy!

I am going to make the next two days count! Woo.

Fat Tuesday

At Solorio there are 8 student teachers total. Today we made treats for the teachers since it is our last week at the school. Everyone made such delicious treats. I think the staff enjoyed it too.

I have really grown to love my kinders. I don't think that teaching at that grade would be the best fit for me, it certainly isn't my first choice, but I am not overly opposed to it anymore. Although the kids drive me nuts at times, they really do have a special place in my heart. I am going to miss seeing them laugh everyday. It is going to be a challenge to get back into the subbing routine again.

A chubby kid in my class that always dances told me that his new profession was a spy then he trotted away dancing a crazy Lady Gaga dance. I don't expect to get that action in any other grade.

I received letters from Upland and Etiwanda stating that I will be rehired for the next school year as a sub. SO if I don't get hired on full time as a credentialed teacher somewhere, at least I know I will be subbing next year. I joke that one of the third grade teachers at Solorio needs to get pregnant so I can be her long term sub. I'll keep praying that a full time job will open up for Matt and myself in the local area though. That would alleviate a lot of stress.

Family members always ask me what I want for my birthday, so aside from wanting to see your happy faces, here are some ideas: Children's Books (for all reading levels), white board markers, bulletin board borders, or a themed book from this website: Click Here- Classroom Couture, and of course cold hard cash or gift cards are always appropriate... =P

If you are a teacher and/or a parent, in Upland off of Foothill and just East of Central, there is a Goodwill Bookstore with a TON of children's books as well books for teens and adults. Books are super cheap. My grandma introduced me to the store and I LOVE it! Check it out.

Picture of the Day:

Teacher Appreciation Week

I only have this week left of student teaching! Oh my goodness gracious! Luckily, my last week is also Teacher Appreciation Week so there are lots of goodies coming my way! =)

Today the PTA provided breakfast to the teachers and staff, so I thought that was very nice of them. Students were also supposed to bring in cards for their teacher. I didn't think I would get any because I am a student teacher, but four of my students gave me a card. SO CUTE! I even received a little note from one of my third graders! LOVE IT!

Something bittersweet happened today. Judy came and observed me for the last time. She is such an amazing woman. I love being able to chit chat with her. She has really been a rock for me. My friend Cherlynn and I love having her as our fieldwork supervisor.... we made a fan club for her. I am the president (of course) and she is the VP ;). I am sure we will keep in touch.

Here are some pictures of the cards I received:

Quote of the Day:

Student: Superman liked me so much that he wanted to take a picture with me!!!
Me: How cool!
Student: Yeah but my mom didn't have any cash so I couldn't take a picture with him after-all...

Comments on Blog

Several people have been telling me that they are having trouble leaving comments on my blog. I went in and changed the settings, so you should be able to leave comments now. Please let me know if you are still having trouble.

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Sorry about that!