week of reflection: 11/18/16

I give this week a 5! It has been a relatively easy and stress free week. I didn't have school on Friday because my CT had a previous engagement to attend to. So I took advantage of that and went and did one of my end of experience observations at a middle school in the area. What a fun experience to get out of my classroom and get to observe somewhere differently. This was awesome for me because I've been leaning towards teaching middle or elementary anyways! I typed up my observation report for that already and am knocking out pieces on my portfolio. So I'm getting very excited for graduation! It is just a month away!!!! All of my hard work is paying off and I'm close to my first degree, it is just a really awesome feeling. This week I attended the CMS (Charlotte-Mecklenberg Schools) job fair. That was a different experience to go and see all of these schools. I felt like I was selling myself, but I'm glad I got the practice there so when I attend the Gaston County Job fair I won't feel as awkward.  This week at school I haven't been doing as much, for I am fading out of my responsibilities. In 4th period I have been working a lot on my concert band piece and we also have been meeting after school for flute choir. That honestly is a huge highlight for my student teaching experience. Next week is only a two day week and I have never been more ready for a break. I really miss being home with my family. Going forth I just want to finish up all of my requirements for student teaching, get my name out there more for jobs, and have a happy rest of my time as  student for now.  WE ARE SO CLOSE YOU GUYS!

week of reflection: 11/11/16

This week I was only at school one day but it definitely was a 5 week! 

The students were out of school Tuesday and Friday, then Monday I was at conference and Thursday I went home for my first big girl job interview! So that was an awesome experience!! I will find out if I got the job early next week at some point. It is at an elementary school back home and I would be the director of the after school program, I would be in charge of all activities, snack, touring, and making sure all the helpers are doing their assigned responsibility. I am very interested in this job because even though it isn't a full time teaching position, I would still be continuing being around kids and helping them after school. I am grateful to expand my teaching experience into elementary children as well! At my interview the principal and I discussed all of my music background and how he would like having another music teacher around because they only have one day a week when a music teacher comes to their school. Also funny thing, this music teacher was my elementary music teacher when I was in school! I saw her in the hall during my interview and she talked me up big to the principal so that was awesome already having a familiar face. In addition to all this great news, this same teacher reached out to me after I left the school, and she said that she might be having foot surgery and would need a long term sub for the spring semester and she had me in mind. So already having my name out their some is really helping and I'm excited knowing that there are possibilities for me after graduation. If not, I am grateful for that interview experience already! 

So really this week I didn't have much at school, but professionally for me I have taken leaps for after graduation and I've been focusing on working on the remainder of all of my assignments for student teaching. I still feel like I have so much left, but I have to keep going and do the best that I can. Next week at school I really need to focus on getting my sections for the winter concert ready, (Our concert is Tuesday December, 13th at 6:30pm if anyone can come out!) I'm very excited because this will be my debut as a conductor and also instructor for the flute choir!!

As I finish up edTPA I am noticing how much my students really did learn and that's SO awesome to see. I really am reaching some of them. It is hard having a class of 50 and tracking their learning, but I am doing the best I can and it seems like for the most part they are learning. (most part being some kids just don't care so they don't try)

NCTCS:

1c: This interview helped me extend and gain some more professional relationships. 

3b: During the interview I just have to say I was impressed with myself and how much I know no about education. I was able to hold a professional conversation about education with a principal and director of all after school activities. I just had ti pat myself on the back and be grateful for all of my professors at GWU.

5b/5c: From conference to this week, I feel like I am gaining lots of professional development and for the first time in my time this semester I don't feel terrified to graduate.

Portfolio and edTPA are working. I'll be ready when I can say I am officially finished with all of these assignments. 

Dr. Soja, I am so grateful for you!! I can't say it enough!! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!

week of reflection 11/04/16

Sorry about this weeks blog being so late as well as the responses. I was at the NCMEA conference all weekend and left my laptop at home. But last week was really good as well as the conference. We had our last football game and it was also senior night for the band members. The game was really good and I would say it was the bands best run of the marching band show.  I also taught my last edTPA lesson and it went really well! Now I am just scrambling to get everything for student teaching completed. I'm counting the days until graduation! But conference WAS AMAZING. This conference fed me musically and educationally. I feel very excited to use some of the things I learned in my classroom! This past week I watched a little too much tv and I shouldn't have done that knowing that I had conference this weekend. This week I am in now is also a short week for me, but I have my first interview for a job this Thursday, so please be sending me good thoughts, vibes, and prayers. 

NCTCS

1c: This past weekend I gained a lot of professional development from the music educators conference! Loved it so much! 

2d: For my last edTPA lesson, I had a student who is EC that I accomadated by giving them a separate playing space. 

4h: After finishing up all of my edTPA, I really am finding little ways that I assess my students. One example would be asking for group responses after asking a question, I find this extremely helpful when rehearsing. 

5b,c: Conference really put me in a different environment, I wasn't used to the city, but I loved being able to talk with other educators and get to and from the sessions. 

Not much longer everyone! We all got to keep pushing forward and get through all of this!