Sweet Ending to a Wonderful Experience

Today was the last day of my internship at Spring Valley.   After 28 weeks, 112 days and 896 hours, I had completed my 4th grade student teaching experience.  It's definitely overwhelming.  I feel like it's still just the first day of school when I was meeting them all for the very first time and trying desperately to learn their names.  

Today was really special.  My students had sad, droopy eyes when they came to class because they knew that today was the last day that we would be together.  Lots of hugs were given, last few questions were asked and teary eyed Miss Chambers loved on them all.  I wrote each of them a letter expressing how much I had enjoyed working with them this year.  I included my address with the letter so we could be pen pals this summer.  After I was in 4th grade, I was pen pals with my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Meachum.  I absolutely loved her.  I thought she was the greatest.  I still have those letters tucked away in a shoe box back in my room in Dallas.  Pretty neat, huh? Maybe I will have 80 pen pals this summer.  :)

When the end of the day rolled around, 4th period was cut short and all of my students scurried out of the classroom.  I was left there confused until a few minutes later when Mrs. Humphrey called that she needed me for a minute. I walked into the hallway to find Kristina (my partner in crime) waiting in the hall too looking just as confused as I was.  We didn't know what was going on because all of the classrooms were empty (usually there is total chaos).  They took us to the AV room and find all 80 of our wonderful love bugs sitting quietly and excitedly when we come into the room.  In the middle of the room laid two giant totes filled with supplies that every first year teacher needs.  On one side of the bag had famous quotes from scholarly people in our history that understand the needs of teachers and the other side had all of the kids' signatures.  I burst into tears when I saw my kids so excited to present the bag of goodies to us. Mrs. Humphrey tried to say how much she has enjoyed working with Kristina and I but she was crying too.  Whew, lots of tears.  

After the tears were dried and mascara was cleared from underneath eyes, the kids got to tell one word of advice for us for next year when we are first year teachers.  Some of my favorite pieces of advice includes:

"Let them have recess all day when they are good."

"Go down to Austin to stop the printing of the TAKS test"

"Be strict, but not too strict"

"Always remember the golden rule"

"When a kid is bad, mark their chart"

"Treat students how you want to be treated."

"Make every lesson fun or kids will fall asleep"

Then we took one huge group picture with Miss Santen and I in the middle of our kids.  We took 3 serious pictures and then all of the sudden, there was a stampede of kids coming at us, hugging from every direction possible saying, "I love you, Miss Chambers. You are the best!"  

There is nothing better than hugs from kids that really love you for who you are.  They hold on tight, hoping that you never let go and forget them.  But how can you?  These wonderful little rascals have refined my philosophy of education in so many ways that I don't think I can fully express.  I do know that 110% that there is nothing I would rather do!!

Stickin' It Through Pays Off

Hello, Blog Readers.

What an overwhelming, doubtful and stressful Spring it has been. As you might know, I have been on the hunt for a teaching position at one of the 7 school districts that I have applied to (Allen, Plano, Richardson, Coppell, Frisco, McKinney and Highland Park). I have basically blanketed the entire Dallas area. Essay questions on applications were thoroughly answered, transcripts were sent in, resume with cover letters attached were sent to principals in these schools districts and anticipation of certification letters were sent in to Human Resources offices. The next course of action was to attend the job fairs for these school districts.

On March 28th, there were 4 job fairs from 8am-noon. Plano, Coppell, Allen and Highland Park. Because of the geographics of where each of these were located, I had to pick and choose which ones I wanted to attend. I decided to attend the Plano job fair since I am a graduate from there and Highland Park because it was the easiest one to attend after Plano because you go straight down 75.

I got to Plano early and waited in long lines with other aspiring teachers who were all various ages and different levels of experience. In 3 and a half hours, I was able to talk with 20 schools (there are 42 schools in all in Plano). More or less, each school stated the same pitch, "I'm sorry but we have no openings." It definitely put a dent my spirit. To be rejected over and over regardless of how much I expressed my love for teaching and all of the neat experiences I have had in student teaching did nothing. No worries, I still had Highland Park to go to. There are only 4 elementary schools in HP which was nice. But, when I got up to the 3rd principal, she stated how HP doesn't hire 1st year teachers because they don't believe that there are experienced enough. I wanted to yell back at her, "Then WHO GAVE YOU THE CHANCE WHEN YOU WERE 22 TO START TEACHING?!?!?!!?" but I bite my tongue, smiled sweetly and shook her hand thanking her for giving me the chance to talk to her and left. I felt defeated. Totally shook up. Trying to paddle through the mucky water I was drowning in.

But nothing dampens this girl's spirit. I continued to email teachers, went and dropped out my resume to school secretaries and continued to pray.

Then the greatest day happened.

I attended the Richardson Job fair this past weekend, April 18th to be exact. I arrived 30 minutes early before the job fair began believing that being early would give me an edge. While I waiting in line with the rest of the hopeful teachers, it started to mist. My hair that I had perfected minutes early was now drowned out like a vegetable that gets its timed mist at the grocery story. When I got inside, I checked in, received a badge that had my name and walked into the cafeteria filled with all of the school districts for Richardson.

The vibrancy of this job fair was unlike any of the others I have attended yet. Each table was carefully detailed with a theme to lure people over to come hear why their school is awesome. There were teachers dressed as fishermen "fishing for fabulous faculty", teachers walking around with milk mustaches proclaiming "moo on over to our school!" and even michael jackson's greatest hits playing. One table caught my eye. They were dressed as Harley Davinson drivers, even the principal herself had on all of the black leather and a bandanna wrapped around her hair. I introduced myself and she then proceeded to ask me detailed questions about my behavior management style, how I prepared for TAKS and how I deal with parents. I felt like I didn't have all of the right words to convey my thoughts but I must have said something right. After we talked, she gave me a card to have a formal interview with human resource people. I was escorted upstairs to a room filled with a principal who was going to do my interviewing. I was asked 35 questions dealing with all areas of education. She was not allowed to express how I was answering and add any additional thoughts. She just critiqued what I said. It was then taken to Human Resources where they were going to evaluate it and then I would hear back in the next few weeks.

When I got back downstairs, I visited more schools. The "o" word was finally said. Openings were found and they needed teachers to fill them. It was such a relief. I feel that this is where God wants me to teach! A handful of the schools are Tier One and others have ESL learners. I have a hunch that this is where I will end up. And I'm ready for the challenge. BRING IT!