Time to say gooodbye....

No words can describe my experience with the students of Room 2 at Anaheim Hills Elementary. I had my good weeks and then the bad weeks and then the not so bad weeks. I went in really gung-ho about teaching, but slowly that idealistic teaching turned into realistic teaching. When I had my bad weeks, I had doubts about whether this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Today, I walked into the class and even if it was my last day, I put my all in my lessons. I probably made a fool of myself, but the kids were having fun and I was having fun. Every one was learning and I was learning that this worked with them. So... when it all comes down to it, I know why I want to teach and these students helped me discover that. I made a difference and an impact in the learning experience of these students. Here's how I know:

1. Alyssa gave me a watch because I taught her how to tell time.

2. Chris knows what time to go to bed because I taught him how to tell time.

3. Abiral, sweetest boy who makes me smile and brings oomf to room 2, thanked me for teaching him how to add and subtract and knows to fix his mistakes right away.

4. Hunter gave me a Lego figurine that he made of me. If a student can remember all the details of how I look and my favorite types of designs on a shirt and put so much thought into Lego Miss Tran, then yes I know that he enjoyed my presence and I know I made a difference.

5. When students enjoy writing, I know I have done my job. If I have students sitting in during recess to finish their writing without any moaning and complaining, I know that I've inspired them to be the best and have fun writing.

6. When students are not complaining about having to rewrite but rather are excited about performing surgery on their writing, I know that this is what I am called to do in life.

There are just sooo many things and moments in this student teaching experience that has lead me to truly believe that this is it for me. I am truly being Miss Tran.

So what's next?

In my next placement, I will be more direct, more open, more professional, and keeping it real. This shy and timid in me cannot overshadow who I really am and what I am capable of.