The Endings

As you can imagine, so much has happened since I last posted. I tackled my last observations, two portfolios, graduated, and wrapped up the last crazy week of student teaching. It is such a wonderful feeling to be finished with it all. I can remember the first weeks and thinking about how 1) student teaching would probably never end, 2) student teaching would probably kill me. To my surprise, I did make it to the end, and I did not die.

I happily walked across the stage on December 10th to accept my very fake diploma. Nonetheless, it was somewhat a feeling of accomplishment. Honestly, once I received that folder with the fake diploma, I was ready to get the heck out of there. Thank goodness I was sitting by my good friend, Catherine for graduation - otherwise I wouldn't have made it. I admit, it was a long and boring ceremony and we mostly giggled the entire time - like good teachers would do. After graduation, my family and friends gathered at the Alumni Center for some grub. It made me realize just how fortunate I am to have such wonderful friends and family - thanks to you all!

Unfortunately, or fortunately (however you look at it) I was scheduled to go back to student teaching an extra week since I received my special education endorsement (they want you to get as much time in the classroom as possible). In that week (remember, it was AFTER graduation), I had two formal observations, needed to complete and submit my special education portfolio, and bake/get gifts together. Talk about stress! Let's just say that a week ago today, I was a hot mess. Now that I've made it to the end, you can only imagine what I've done.... NOTHING. Well, I've done a few things here and there. Some Christmas shopping, cooking, and serious cleaning, but that's it. And it feels so good. Sleeping until after 10 am, staying up until after 12 am, watching movies all the time, baking like a little homemaker, and shopping like I've made money the last four months. Life is good. And better yet? Christmas is in a few days.

Below are a few pictures of all the random things that have happened in my last weeks of student teaching.

 The dreadful portfolio that was FINALLY completed after some serious procrastination. This was only the first portfolio. I had another one for special ed. No worries, I procrastinated on that one even more. 

 The people who pushed me along the way this semester! Couldn't have done it without them. Shout out to Liz, Sha-ree', Lynn (Clinical Instructor), and Olivia.

 Christmas at Ware Elementary is kind of a big deal. We all stayed after school one night to decorate the hallways with butcher paper. This is just one tiny section of the hallway that a group of ladies did. Isn't it amazing? Butcher paper, that's it. 

 A highlight of my semester: Mrs. Claus (my mom, shhh) came to see my first graders!! 

AND... graduation! What a wonderful day. :)

I am so grateful to have completed student teaching. I have gone through so many challenges but have had so many good times. I love the teachers, staff, and students I've met along the way. I love the experience and the learning that I have taken on. And mostly, I love Ware Elementary.

Thanks to everyone who has pushed me on my way. And to think, someday I will be a teacher! (I can't wait)

To close with a quote: "Promise me you'll always remember... you're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."


So long,

Miss Everhart

I Miss You Too

Many times this week I have been reminded about how quickly this semester has flown by. I think about that first intern meeting we had at Ware, the first time I awkwardly met the students, and how I thought it was such a big deal the first time I taught three lessons in one day. Nearly four months have past and I am now approaching my graduation. I seriously can't believe how quickly this as come and gone. I have accomplished a lot, learned a heck of a lot more, and mostly, I have enjoyed every bit of my experience. 

I wanted to write this quick update since I am down to the final days. We graduate Saturday (3 days, 12 hours, and about 10 minutes from now), but I still have to return the following week. All of the other interns are done this Friday, but I, along with the other two special ed "endorsies" stay an extra week. It's killing me really; knowing that everyone else is practically done and I still have loads to do. I can't really complain though, I'm the one who procrastinated. (In fact, I don't even have time to by blogging). I've decided that out of the fifty-ish elementary ed graduates, I am the last one to complete everything. In the next week-ish I have three more formal observations, lessons to write, and one portfolio to complete. People keep telling me to get to work, but I'm not worried, it will all get done eventually! My carefree attitude obviously has no worries. 

As I'm closing in on my final days I'm getting more and more excited each day. I absolutely love Ware, the teachers, and especially the students, but I'm ready for this chapter of my life to come to an end. Today as I was walking in the hall, one of my first graders came up to me lost. I knew exactly where he needed to be so I walked him to that spot. As we walked, he held my hand and turned to me in his quiet, soft voice, "you know Miss Everhart, I miss you." It's those kind of things that make you know that all of the hard work, late nights, lack of sleep, and tears were all worth it in the end. Even in the most frustrating of days (like today), you know that it's all worth it.

I've wished these days away for so long, but now that they are limited, things change a bit. I do want the end to come, but don't ever want to forget every memory that I've made along the way. 

Ya'll (yea, I say that now; even when I teach) probably won't hear back from me until after I'm done on December 16th. Take care. 

Until next time, 

Miss Everhart