An Ending and a Beginning

As my time in my special education student teaching placement comes to a close I'm wondering where the time has gone.  When I started in August it seemed like I had forever working in my classroom with the kids.  Now, with only four days left with these kids, I am trying to remember everything I can from my teacher and the kids.  Over the past 7 weeks I have learned just as much from my students as I have from my teacher.

From my teacher I have learned:

How important it is to be flexible, especially in a classroom like learning support.  I have also learned from her how to be flexible when students show up in your room when you don't expect them to be there or when no one shows up when they are supposed to.

That some things are not worth "fighting" over.. some things you just have to let go.

How to use humor and be yourself in the classroom.

To be nice to everyone, especially people like janitors and lunch ladies.  Having a smile on your face every day can definitely spread to others in the school.

To feel fortunate if you are in a school where everyone is friendly and welcoming.

It is good to be honest with your students, they will appreciate that.

Along with many other things.

From my students I have learned:

How to laugh with them.

They will notice everything, even those students who you do not have any contact with (learned this when dyed my hair and a fourth grade student who I do not remember seeing previously said to me in the hall, "You changed your hair!")

That the littlest comments from them can simply make your day.

How quickly they can find their way into your heart, even those who drive you crazy.

I have 4 days left in this school and I am not looking forward to that last day when I have to say goodbye to them.  On the flip side of all this sadness, I am greatly looking forward to my new student teaching placement, and my new adventure.  In exactly one week I will be leaving the United States, headed for Rome, Italy.  There I will finish my student teaching at the American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR) in a fifth grade classroom.  I am excited to explore a new country, city, and culture as well as see how this school operates especially with the many different cultures that attend this school.  I decided to keep a blog of my experiences because I know lots of people will be curious as to what I am doing while I am there.  I hope to learn a lot and hope you enjoy reading about it all! :)