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

So Close

I just realized not long ago that I hadn't blogged in quite some time. Going on almost four weeks without blogging seems crazy to me. I figured you all needed an update in the wonderful world of student teaching. A lot has happened - but the best of all is that I graduate in... 22 days, 15 hours, and 59 minutes. Not that I'm counting down or anything. I'll tell you what, I sure have loved student teaching, but I sure has heck need to graduate soon! Thank goodness it's coming sooner rather than later. I just can't believe how quickly time flies!

Tomorrow I will complete my fifth (yes, FIFTH) week in my special education placement. It is different but it is great. I am learning quite a bit every day. It's very interesting to me how first and third grades can be so different. And it's been great to see the many different ways that teachers teach too.

In the mornings just like usual we teach a reading class. This class is a mix of second and third graders. They can be rather frustrating just because they don't open their ears and listen. They are funny and very special kiddos. In the mornings now I do a pull out of three kids from a third grade class to work on vocabulary. That has been a fun challenge because of their characteristics and I have loved spending that time with them. In the afternoon we do the routine math and writing team teaching blocks. This past week I prepared a lesson on fractured fairy tales (what I would call fairy tale spin-offs). They came up with some pretty silly and hilarious stories!

The thing that is so different from general ed is that in special ed your time is far less structured. You have to be flexible and ready to jump around where ever you're needed. Instead of routine tasks, you do little things that no one thinks of. And you always have to be prepared for whatever.

Outside of school some fun things have been happening too. I went to the KSU career fair last week and got my networking on. I had so much fun chatting with districts and getting pumped up for finding a job. Last weekend I was fortunate enough to go on a weekend vacation getaway to Gulf Shores, AL. We left Friday and came back Sunday. We walked on the beach, went to a baptism in the gulf, and ate all the best seafood. It was such a blessing that I could escape the world of student teaching for just a few days. And the weather was AMAZING! Far better than Kansas that's for sure.

Life is good over all but I just can't wait to graduate. Three weeks from Saturday. Here we go!!

Before I sign off here are some things I've been learning...

• Kids are GREAT no matter what!
• Don't be afraid of any situation or any kid or any behavior. Just tackle it with the best strategy or idea you've got. It might not work, but at least you tried. 
• Third grade special ed is the place to be! We order chinese every week. Oh, and Mrs. K (one of the PARAs) brings us surprise Starbucks!

So long for now!

Until next time, 

Miss Everhart (or now I'm being called Miss Loveheart)

Feels Like Christmas

Typically, I spend my Thursday nights writing all of the lessons that I procrastinated on for that week. Since their due Friday, I always put them off until the last minute. However, this Thursday night, I'm doing nothing... and loving it.

We had parent teacher conferences 4-8 pm Monday-Wednesday after a full day of school  - so after working those long days, we got today and tomorrow off! Today honestly felt like Christmas once it had arrived. I have been looking forward to these two days for ever. I even got to sleep twelve hours last night. When does that ever happen?!

The last couple of weeks have been a little different. Since I made the switch to special ed, I haven't had much to do since I was just observing and getting used to the change. This break has been amazing. I go to school late (7:45 am; late to me), leave at 4:00, and spend the rest of my night doing... nothing! I even got in the habit of going to bed at 9:00 pm. How about that?! However, those lazy days are limited. I have been in my new placement for two weeks, which means I have to start teaching again soon - I've use up my "observation" days. So very soon I will be back to the grind.

For an update on my new placement in 3rd grade special ed: it's new; it's different. That's all I can really say. I like the change, but it's just so different from 1st grade. Amazing how everything can be so different in just two school years. The kids are more grown up and don't really care about you like the first graders do. The curriculum is so different too. And of course, the teachers and paras are new to me also. It's been an interesting two weeks of transitioning, but it's been good so far.

Being away from my first graders has made me realize that I need to be a teacher! If you know me well enough, you know that I have never been sold on being a teacher, but finally I have convinced myself that that's what I want (for at least a year)! In fact, I've slowly started the job search process. Instead of joking my Uncle Jay that I would come home to farm for him, I decided to start the slow process of finding a job. I frequently get freaked out about finding a job, which is why I am taking it slowly. Today I bought resume paper. That was a big step for me! There is a job fair at K-State in a couple of weeks, so I will roam around that for a bit. Then I imagine I will postpone the search until February-ish or until districts start posting jobs for the fall. For those of you that are curious, I plan to sub in the spring semester. I might even do some subbing at my old stomping grounds - Southeast.

Like I said, I was able to sit in on many conferences this week. Since I know my first graders so well, I got to go back to those conferences. I was reminded how much I love those kids. They still say and do the silliest things, and they still tick you off too. Either way, they are great kids who always put a smile on your face. In fact, I see them about once a day, but whenever I see them, they bombard me with hugs. One day, I was literally hugged by 26 children at once. I felt so bad because they were in the middle of PE - I was such a distraction as I simply walked through the hall - but I loved it anyway.

Each day I get closer to graduating. We're coming close to a month. Thank goodness! I never thought I would wish to graduate, but I seriously could not go any longer. I have to get a diploma - and soon! December 10th could not get here soon enough.

Here is my list of things that I have learned lately:

• When you leave 1st grade with Mrs. K and Mrs. S you eat just a bit healthier. No coke and no chocolate for me anymore. :) Good thing too. I used to eat like 300 Reese's cups a day.
• But when you leave 1st grade, you miss everyone. It's been one of those things that you don't realize how great it is until it's gone. 
• Everyone has their own teaching style. You may have to work with some styles that you don't necessarily like, but that's okay. There are many ways to teach; but no matter what, just do your thing. 

That's all for now. I sure hope that third graders get funnier, because I need some laughs to share on here. 

Until next time, 

Miss Everhart (third graders call me Miss Hart too and I'm okay with it)

PS: Go K-State!! :)

Hey Third Grade!

This won't be an exciting blog - but I just wanted to let you all know that I have officially made the switch from first grade to special ed third grade. Life is much different on the other side of the school. I've gone from teaching the same kids, in the same room, with the same routine every day to now never teaching in the same room, running all over, and working with different students.

The first day was alright. I felt like I belonged down the hall in first grade - but that's only because everything in third grade is new. New teachers, new paras, new kids, new materials. I was also reminded that I need to practice some serious subtraction so I can quickly check the students' work.

As I get the hang of things I will tell more on here, but for now, everything is so new. I hope I get the hang of it. And I hope that the next eight weeks flies by.

As always, the kids are a hoot. One kid looked at me and said, "you're pretty.... can you help me?" Haha what a great way to ask for help.

Until next time,

Miss Everhart

Down to a Week

I must be the worst blogger around, because I never make time to do this. However, right now, as blogging sat at the bottom of my incredibly full weekend to-do list, I quickly moved it to the top because it's the only semi-fun thing to do. A lot has happened since I last blogged, so let me update you. I'm going to be honest, anything that happened last week has already left my mind, so I'm just going to update you on this week.

Monday I was gone, so when I returned on Tuesday I was a stressed, hot mess. Tuesday I had a formal observation from my K-State supervisor. Pretty much, this last observation from her was a huge deciding factor in my grade (I think; at least that's what I told myself).  You would think that after eight weeks of teaching it would have been fine, but with my usual luck, it was a train wreck lesson. Kids were so wired and it was just a mess. Surprisingly, I came out on top. My supervisor noticed my flexibility and that I was thinking on my toes and that the lessons idea wasn't too shabby. Thank goodness!

Wednesday was a straight up mess in our class. You always have to expect at least one day a week to be crazy. Here's a fine example. In the middle of my math lesson, I look over and see a girl dancing two feet from her desk. You probably are thinking right now that I'm going to make an awful teacher - and that I just might - but if you knew these children, you would know that their behaviors are not all my fault!

Thursday was Thursday - always a good day simply because it's almost Friday. Probably the best memory from first grade comes from Thursday. I go to pick up the kids from lunch recess. My good, silly friend "Bob" (obviously not his real name) is the only kid sitting criss cross on the cement (the other kids are standing in a line). "Bob" sits there with his head tilted - one eat to the ground, one ear to the sky. I don't see a problem with this... until I realize that "Bob" has filled his ear with sand and rocks. It doesn't sound funny at all, but given this student, it is the funniest thing ever. Turns up that when you get rocks in your ear, you have to go to the doctor to get them properly removed. The doctor was able to remove three more rocks. If you don't learn anything else from this blog, know that you shouldn't put rocks in your ears.

Friday is always filled with me singing the Rebecca Black song "Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday!" Once Friday arrives, all I can do is laugh. Today was a top notch day - in fact I would repeat this day for the rest of my teaching career if I could. We had an assembly where the kids listened to a guitarist. While telling "Bob" (wouldn't ya know, "Bob" again - haha) to wear his shirt like a first grader (shirt was on head), he responded with, "ugh, first grade is hard!" Haha, it sure is. We went to lunch - which was filled with mac and cheese, a donut, and chips  - because it was birthday treat day. Glad to know that I ate so healthy today. Then we watched a movie and had popcorn for the class reward. We finished the day with a shaving cream party -- shaving cream on their desks. It was top notch and a total mess. Friday was a great day as you can tell!

I'm going to have to end this blog for now. I have one more week in first grade - can't believe how quickly time flies!

Thanks for reading.

Until next time... and GO STATE!

- Miss Everhart

The Joys

I know that there are so many jobs out there that are boring, heartless, and lack enjoyment. I have always thought about how I could never have a job that didn't directly serve other people. I know I'm not cut out to be in the business world or even be a salesperson. I may not know if teaching is for me; but I know I'm heading in the right direction.

Today was one of those reflective days for me. I was in a sad lull and was noticing that I was easily annoyed and frustrated - not a good combination for being in first grade for seven hours. At around noon today it hit me: there are so many joys in this profession - you just have to wake up and appreciate them. Today at noon, a boys dad surprised him. I never thought it would happen while I was at Ware, but sure enough, his dad who had been gone surprised him in the lunch line. Now, what do you have to say about that? Wow. I wanted to cry. Is there really any other job out there that can turn you around and make you realize how amazing life can be? Teaching may not be the career for everyone, and it may not even be the career for me; but I do know that it is a career that will always bring a smile to your face even on the most difficult days. When you're having a bad day, when you're disappointed in a kid, when they just will not stop talking, when everything seems to go wrong... there will be that one moment that will top it all, that moment that will make you smile for a good long while.

This week has been an interesting one. As always we have seen those unique personalities that those little first graders have. And gosh have they made me laugh! I wish my hilarious stories from this week were blog appropriate. It's great how kids will say the most inappropriate things and not have a single idea. Innocence at it's best. Tomorrow we will reach another Friday. Mrs. K will be gone which I guess makes me the go-to-gal. We will have a sub in the room, but you never actually know how useful they will be. I'm a little nervous, but I think I can do it. And if it really is as rough as I have had dreams about (yes, I had an anxiety dream about it) then I will just drive straight to Aggieville. Though, I don't anticipate that. :)

I did the count down today. I have eleven days left in first grade. I'm going to miss those little kiddos so much. Can't believe how quickly the time has flown by.

As always, here are some things I've learned.

• You feel better when you don't procrastinate. I have finished all of my lessons that are due tomorrow - which has never happened before - and which is why I'm blogging. 
• Dealing with parents: be calm, be firm, be real, be nice. Don't sugar coat it, tell the truth, and don't let them walk all over you. Let's just say, we've had some parent run-ins this week. 
• Appreciate great professional development, especially when it gets you out of the classroom for a bit. This week we had some prof dev while the kids were in school. It was great to have a morning break from them while we learned a lot! 
• A behavior strategy and a funny story: when a specific kid is having his normal melt-downs, we've learned that all you have to do is get out the video recording ipod and tell him that we will record his behavior and show his mom. In an instant he is under control. It's awesome. We don't actually record him, but it works like a charm. The funny part of this: the other day I propped it up and told him to leave it there while I went to help another kid. I turn around to check on him and see him do a shy wave at the camera, look right into it and say, "...hi Mom." HAHA wish we were actually recording that! 

It's been a weird, rough, wild week and thank goodness it ends tomorrow. 

Happy October and Go State! :)

Until next time, 

Miss Everhart