If I knew then...

Lately I've been wondering

If I knew then what I know now, would I make this choice? Would I still become a teacher?

Of course as you're taking all of the classes (in college), preparing lessons (to turn in for a grade), getting ready for student teaching -- you hear the stories: if you can make it through your first year, you'll be fine! or That first year is really rough, make sure you know what you're getting yourself into! Then (while you're student teaching, or just finishing up classes before you student teach) you hear about the classmate that was a year or so ahead of you in classes, who only made it one year and switched professions.

All along, I was thinking Of course this is what I want to do. That first year can't be that bad. Plus, it's only a year! It can't be too much harder than college. I'll be super organized, and spend the whole summer before that first year getting ready. I'll be prepared to not have a life outside of school, and just really appreciate my breaks. It can't be that bad!

Ha! What did I know then?

So, going back to my first question: If I knew then what I know now, would I do it again? Would I go to college to be a teacher? I'm not sure what the answer is. You can't imagine or prepare yourself to know what it's going to be like. And then I didn't have the whole summer to get organized and prepared and ready for the first few weeks. I had less than one week.

I like my job, I know that much. So I guess maybe I'll know the answer at the end of this first year...

Brakes -- check, tires -- check, remote starter -- check!

To be nice and short and sweet (it's LATE right now), I'm really enjoying my new car!!
We made quite a long trip last weekend and missed hitting 2 deer (one that I came within a couple of inches) and survived some snowy, slushy, wet roads at midnight for a few hours.

And the remote starter is nice (even though it hasn't gotten toooo cold yet)!

I'm loving this little break -- the real one comes in a few weeks -- 15 days of school and then 16 days off!! :) But in that time (this Tuesday, to be exact), I have my first formal observation. :S

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Outta town

So, Heidi and I just decided we're going to skip town for the weekend to go and see our sister Michelle and her hubby Ed. We just found out last weekend that they're expecting twins, so we couldn't wait any longer to see them. I'm just so excited!!!! :)
My little sister is having TWINS! :)

School's going well -- my senior government class has a million questions for me every day about the economy and government and what's going to happen, and it's hard to answer when I (obviously) don't know what's going to happen. I try my best. It's kind of a daunting task.

Aside from that, one of my classes is getting more and more curious about me and where I live, and what I do, and what I used to do, etc.

on a personal note...

I got to see Bob, Michelle, and Ed last weekend!! it was fun just hanging out, visiting, watching a football game, going out for coffee, etc. Thinking about it, it's cool to see the adults your brothers and sisters turn into. and any chance we get to be together is priceless.

I just read Sarah's post, and yes, life continues. We'll make it through, even though at this point it's looking really rough. :S Our ancestors made it through a lot of difficult times, and we can too. (I'm not saying these times will be as bad as what they went through, just that we can make it.)

I never go too long on this blog without mentioning Connecticut, and it's been on my mind lately (when I have time to think!)... Two years ago on October 26th was the day I moved to the east coast. Fall in New England is wonderful, and definitely different than Michigan. that time in my life also wasn't stressful -- I didn't have many worries -- and I look back on it as really relaxing. I think that's why now I like to think about it; life's pretty stressful now.
It was difficult being away from family, but for the first three months I was out there, I didn't go longer than two weeks without seeing someone from my family. and I was home for a week for Thanksgiving and two weeks at Christmas.....

Anyway, Happy Holidays! 'Tis the season ~ I know it's early but I'm celebrating any chance I get between now and New Years. :)

Conferences

For all of the parents out there who go to their children's parent-teacher conferences... well, I'm that person on the other side, trying to think of something to say to help you understand why he got a D-. Or why she got a B+. I wasn't nervous until about five minutes before they started, then I didn't have a chance to get too worried because I was busy the whole time. Then it was closing time, and I had a great time!

A couple of things:
Mr. Dad sits down and says "Social studies. Isn't that the class that everyone gets As in? It's the easy, slack class that everyone takes that they already know everything about..."
Karen: "uh... ummm..." (after I recovered from my jaw dropping) "well, your son is taking World History. There's a lot of stuff in the history of the world... and I don't think a lot of people already know most of it."
Mr. Dad "Oh, wait, you're his world history teacher? But your sign says social studies."

I had quite a few more parents who didn't realize what social studies is.

One parent felt bad for me because her (senior) son came home from school the first week and said "Our new teacher's crazy! She expects us to learn all 50 states and capitals!!"

Other parents shared that their son/daughter didn't exactly like me the first few weeks, but they do now...

Anyway, p-t conferences, part one are history. and I enjoyed it!
13 school days until Thanksgiving -- Yea!!!