Friday marks the end of my first year of teaching, and I have to say it has been a wild ride. Well, the first semester, I was just a student teacher, but I did everything I do now, so I think it still gets to count. I remember the first day, back in August with my first real class of students, and then getting to feel the same way again back in January when I took over for a teacher who got promoted. I was so nervous. I was afraid that I would fail my students in some way, and in turn fail myself. I remember worrying that I would do a bad job and that my students would hate me.
Here I am days away from the end of the school year, and I think overall that it was a great year. As most of you know I have been teaching TAKS English juniors. All the kids, except one, in my classes did not pass their TAKS test last year, and it was a concern that they may not pass this year. The eleventh grade test decides if they get to graduate or not. I had one student who had not passed it since she was in the third grade, so this test can be a big deal. We really worked this semester to get those kids where they needed to be. I felt so proud when we got the scores, and I saw how well they did. I got to tell the girl who had not passed since the third grade that she passed the one that counted. I gave her a big hug, and she started crying... It was so emotional for me and her. I am so proud!
Earlier in the year, one of my students asked me if I had any kids, and I told him no. I quickly changed my mind, and I told him that I have about 30 16,17-year-old babies. He jokingly calls me mom now because of it.
I definitely think this year was a success. Reflecting back, and learning a ton, I know I am where I am supposed to be, and I could not imagine doing anything else. I suppose I am one of the lucky ones who was able to find my calling in life early on. I have known that I was destined to be a teacher since the third grade. Now at twenty-three, I am living my dream. It is crazy to think that I am really that lucky.
I have a wonderful husband, who is the best friend I could ever ask for, and I am the "proud momma" of 30 of the most wonderful kids I know... What more could I ask for?
