1st Week of Student Teaching

Let me try to recap the first week of student teaching and grad classes. Tuesday, I started my first day at Troy High School, minus the students. Tuesday and Wednesday were Professional Development Days, in which there were various workshops and opportunities to meet in department meetings and get acclimated to the school. My mentor for my internship is also a Union Graduate, so it is extremely helpful to work with him because of his expertise of the program and because he has been teaching for a few years. I was able to work with him to help set up the classroom for the year and also talk about how he grades, does seating, set up our grade books and talk about the materials for the year. The students came on Thursday and you could feel the anticipation of the teachers that morning prior to the students entering the building. I must admit I was quite nervous and excited about the arrival of the students, thus I did not sleep all that well on Wednesday night. I think being an intern, became that much more real, knowing the students were arriving and I was just hoping all would go well.

The students came and it felt like everything truly began. I met the students I would be teaching and all of the other students that my mentor would be teaching. For these classes, I helped pass out papers and interacted with the students, but played more of the observer role. In the classes I would be teaching, I was a bit more active, team-teaching, more talking, with my mentor, to establish my presence as their teacher right off the bat, boy was I nervous. On Friday, I was still feeling anxious, because I knew my mentor wanted me to step in and teach a bit on Friday, so I was brushing up on my Biology and trying to calm the nerves. On Friday, after observing him teach a class, we discussed afterward how I felt I wanted to continue. We decided to co-teach, going back and forth, so I was not teaching the whole time, but so the students continued to see me playing an active role and so I can begin to get comfortable. I felt a little shaky, but I think I did okay. I am just starting out, but know it will get better. The other science teachers are so supportive and helpful as is my mentor (who is extremely supportive and encouraging), that having such a strong support system will certainly make a difference. In addition, there are eight other Union interns at Troy, so it is nice to see a friendly face and someone else who is going through all the beginning steps, together.

As far as Graduate classes, classes started Wednesday, so I had two of the three classes I will be taking. I had Special Needs Seminar (about at-risk students) and Literacy. The professors seem nice and the work seems overall doable, though as always, getting the course syllabus and realizing how quickly the semester will go is a bit overwhelming. The Literacy class is kind of interesting, because it is actually two sections that are taught as one class, which is fun, because I get to see a lot of my classmates from the summer. So far have a bit of work to do, that I tried to get a jump-start on during the weekend, so that I am not too overwhelmed during the week. This week I am starting my work study position working with the Special Assistant to the President and VP of Enrollment Management and Student Services. I am excited about having this opportunity and because of this job, actually had a preview to the new Graduate Building, which is amazing. The Graduate College has almost completely finished a new building, located just off Union's main campus, is spectacular. It will house all the offices for the programs, as well as the curriculum library, classrooms, student work areas and many places for students to do group work or work quietly on their own. So much thought and time went into the design of the building and I would have to say my favorite part is the lounge area when you first walk in. It is a large room, with many large windows, a fire place, a 50" flat-screen TV, coffee area and comfortable, moveable chairs. I am looking forward to its' opening on September 21st and having an opportunity to use this new space. 

Well, I think it is time I get back to my work so I can get so I can then rest up for the week. I will keep you posted on the week's on goings soon!


**Below I have included a few photos of the new Graduate Center. The one on the right is of the lobby, prior to the furniture moving in, but gives you a sense of the size and beautiful windows.