Over twenty years ago, I began my student teaching at San Dieguito High School. I was mentored by two amazing women-Sandy Boldway and Judy Henry. Both were excellent role models and exceptional teachers. Sandy was brilliant; she forced me to think deeply and creatively. I am certain she was a genius. She arrived at school at 7AM or earlier and sometimes didn't leave until 9 PM. Students loved her. Judy showed me how to love and appreciate students for who they were. She found the best in every student and made sure they knew it. Her desk and walls were covered with pictures and letters from students. Students loved her.
Now, I am a that teacher- the teacher in charge of mentoring a future teacher. It is such a privilege and one I don't take lightly. My hope is that I will convince her that she has made the best decision of her life in choosing this profession. I am hoping I will provide her with great lesson ideas and strategies to implement in her own classroom. More than that, I want to show her that it is possible to still love teaching and students even after twenty-four years!
Yet, strangely, I feel as though she is also teaching me. She connects with students in ways that I don't anymore. She is familiar with the books they read, the music they listen to, and the shows they watch. She has ceaseless patience. She doesn't get irritated when students interrupt her or get up to sharpen a pencil in the middle of a discussion. She embraces new ideas and incorporates technology into her lessons without flinching. She's made me reflect on myself and realize that I have become a little set in my ways and a little less patient than I use to be. Working with her has just made me want to better!
I think it's a win-win for both of us (at least I hope she thinks so).
Now, I am a that teacher- the teacher in charge of mentoring a future teacher. It is such a privilege and one I don't take lightly. My hope is that I will convince her that she has made the best decision of her life in choosing this profession. I am hoping I will provide her with great lesson ideas and strategies to implement in her own classroom. More than that, I want to show her that it is possible to still love teaching and students even after twenty-four years!
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| My Amazing Student Teacher |
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| Students presenting their posters |
Yet, strangely, I feel as though she is also teaching me. She connects with students in ways that I don't anymore. She is familiar with the books they read, the music they listen to, and the shows they watch. She has ceaseless patience. She doesn't get irritated when students interrupt her or get up to sharpen a pencil in the middle of a discussion. She embraces new ideas and incorporates technology into her lessons without flinching. She's made me reflect on myself and realize that I have become a little set in my ways and a little less patient than I use to be. Working with her has just made me want to better!
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| Her found poetry assignment for The Giver |
I think it's a win-win for both of us (at least I hope she thinks so).
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