Picture Day Memory

Clip-art by Microsoft Office

This past Wednesday was Picture Day for the faculty and students at the school where I am student teaching. All the second graders were excited about having their pictures taken, so I thought I would share with them one of my vivid memories of past picture days. I recalled the story of when I was in fourth grade and had pictures after coming from P.E. 

It was a warm day, and we had been running around the track course. Somehow, my nice, prepared hair was no longer nice-looking! When it was time for pictures, I took a comb and simply started combing my hair back, like I typically did that year. At the time, as I was standing in line and waiting my turn, I was puzzled as to why several teachers kept laughing at my hair. I was certain that I had combed my hair, so why were they laughing in my direction? Well, I did not know it at the time, but it turns out that by combing my hair back I had given myself a very poor unintentional impersonation of the "Elvis" hairdo. To this day, I cringe every time I see my fourth grade portrait!

Anyway, the students loved the story. They found it amusing how their "teacher" made a terrible picture when he was a kid. When we got to the room where the photographer was, I was under the impression that the only ones having their pictures done were my cooperating teacher and the students from my homeroom. Well, imagine my expression as I discover that all interns had to have their pictures taken too! To some, this would be less horrifying news, but I had just recently taught two classes about the sun's energy, and I had tried on a couple of hats to show examples of how to be safe outside in the sun by wearing decent hats the proper way. Once I found out that I had to have my picture taken too, I automatically returned to the memory of my fourth grade portrait. I was like "Oh, no!" The students thought I feared getting my picture taken, so it amused them as I asked several, "How's my hair, is it fixed okay?" Thankfully, a couple of the kids were honest and told me areas that needed flattening down. I just hope I don't have another poor "Elvis" hairdo!

Changes...

     July started off the journey of the several changes in my life that I have encountered so far. In July, my favorite movie series ended on a high note, but it was bittersweet to say farewell after a decade of being entertained by characters who I have loved since I first read their original book-forms.


     August was the huge change in my life as I left a job to start my student teaching for my final semester in college. It was difficult to say goodbye to those I worked with at the university's library where I worked. For three years, most there had became like family to me. I had felt as though I had made some very good friends there, so saying goodbye nearly tore my heart into pieces. However, I could not have continued working there with the more important task that I was going to take on, even though there were times near the end where I considered changing my mind. Two weeks before I left, an opportunity for work-study funds was offered, and it took all my strength to turn that offer away. I said my goodbyes and I prepared for my role as a second grade student teacher.


     I started my student teaching two days after leaving the library. I started the first week by helping my cooperating teacher and by attending meetings and preparing for the return of the students. Though my cooperating teacher is wonderful, and the school environment is welcoming, it has been quite an adjustment. It has been three years since I was jobless, so it has been a little weird to not schedule my time for work. However, the task I now have is nonetheless work. I arrive at my school, plan lessons, help my cooperating teacher, attend meetings, and is responsible for caring and educating the students just like a real teacher does. That is the purpose of student teaching and interning at an elementary school! But it is a reality that I never really grasped until now.


    The students are great, and all 60+ have been some of the best 2nd graders I have ever seen during my education journey as an elementary major student. One of the biggest tasks I have come across during my internship is trying to remember everything I have learned and done in my education classes and try to apply them to current situations I think would  provide assistance.


     However, there have been moments where I have felt lonesome, because, though everyone (teachers and staff) has been wonderful, they are still new to me, so I have to get use to them. Plus, I miss all of my education major classmates, and those I worked with as a student worker in the library. But no matter those feelings, each time before arriving at the school, I ask God to be with me, and guide me throughout the day. No matter the changes that come my way, I know I'll always have Him!