Let Me Count the Ways

Ahh.. so many times I could stop and express all of the amazing ways that God has blessed me! This applies specifically to my student teaching, which I had been VERY MUCH struggling not to worry about, as many of you know!

1. My school is bilingual, which just generally warms my heart because I LOVE languages!

2. I love being surrounded by diversity, and I very much enjoy the Hispanic culture (happens to be the majority)

3. There is a very talented and kind ESL teacher that comes into my classroom for the afternoon, and I found out after a few days that she was born and raised in Sicily!! Evviva!! (It makes me so excited to talk with people in Italian! :) )

4. My cooperating teacher is the most calm teacher I have ever met. He manages his class so well.. he encourages the students to make the right choices instead of trying to intimidate them into complying. He always reflects out loud for them ("This is what I expect of you;" "I am not at all happy with this behavior because;" "I'll wait until its quiet before I continue."). He is a positive reinforcer ("That's a great answer, but you've got to raise your hand."). He is VERY skilled at explaining math, and all the subjects, really. I always learn a lot just observing his lessons.

5. The school is very well-equipped with GREAT staff that work together. For example, in my class, there is the ESL teacher and teacher aide that are sometimes in the room, plus a special education teacher at times fro the students with IEPs. They work as a team for planning lessons, and it seems to be a very productive model. 

6. Even the school's hours work well for me. I get to school at 7:30; school ends for the kids at 2:15! The day is broken up quite nicely as well and lunch is at noon.

7. There are 2 Christian student teachers in my cohort, and I think my SUPERVISOR (from Buff State) is even a Christian!

8. I love the other teachers that work there! Plus, I have already met a fun and upbeat Christian teacher's assistant, and the teacher's aide that works in my class has made some positive comments about God that makes me hopeful for her as well (if anything, she is very open to the Gospel :) )

9. Of course, I love the kids already... not much else to say here! :)

I know there will be more to add to this list as the year goes on. Long story short, God has been so good in giving me many things that I do not deserve!! There are still many times that I freak out, and say " I can't do this!" No, Julie, you can't. But God is more than able. And blessed be his name, no matter what is the end result of this time. So: for Him, and for the sake of these students whom I care about, I'm gonna keep on! And hopefully ace the edTPA while I am at it ;)