Week 2 of Student Teaching! 

    I unfortunately had to start this week ill with an upper respiratory infection that is still lingering. I was fortunately able to come back on Wednesday! Once I got back, I was given a run down on what the students were doing on Monday and Tuesday while I was gone. Of course, the students were asking me all kinds of questions like "where were you, were you sick, and will you be here tomorrow". It was interesting to see how many of the students actually missed seeing me even though I had only come the week before. 

    This week I felt better because I got to help the students more during the classes. I walked around while Miss Vega was teaching to ensure students were on the correct page, following along, and wasn't distracted. I also got to help when they were working in their activity book by walking around and answering questions when they raised their hands. Many were grateful I was there to help and told me "thank you" which I didn't really expect. 

    I got to see how the behind the scenes run a bit better than the week before. Today (Friday) I got to attend my first IEP meeting with the team. I was fascinated on how well the IEPs were put together in detail for the teachers. The support teacher wrote the teachers an overview of the IEPs to help them see what was being worked on behind the scenes with each student. I learned a lot from sitting back and watching them talk. 

    I only had one issues which wasn't even a physical issue. I feel like I have inserted myself to set expectations with each student but the respect isn't always given. There has been multiple discussions with the class about respecting me as I have the "same" authority as the other team members. I know I am still new so I cant expect each student to listen to me as if I am their original teacher. It's just harder when half of the class does listen when I ask them to stop doing something, ask them questions, etc., and the other half does not. I know it'll get better from here but I was beating myself up yesterday (Thursday) when I got home. I was tired and exhausted so I was just thinking too much. I am excited that today some students did better. I know I am stepping into their environment so the adjustment takes some time. 

I am SO excited for next week because I get to lead the bell work along with some vocabulary skills.