Online Reflection #3: Your Time to Blossom

Dear Lorylyn,

            First and foremost, learn what your relaxing niche is, and take hold of it with a death defying grasp. This is not to scare you, but you will be tested and you need know how to fight through it. (I would suggest PiYo, it has helped me tremendously.) You will be challenged in your ability to teach and plan, in your ability to take exams, in your ability to accept criticisms, and in your ability to reflect on your own. These challenges will follow you through your chosen career, so, as I suggested before, find that relaxing niche. You’ll need it.

            Relaxation and self- care will be crucial, and your internship is the key time to test the waters as you are lowered into the hectic life of teaching. Eat healthier, don’t give up your morning jogs, and do give up your late night excursions. Those are just some places to start, but don’t stop there because your health reflects in your spirit and your spirit is key in your class… you’ll learn soon enough.  

            As you test waters, don’t limit yourself to what is expected of you. Yes, it will be difficult to figure out the balance as is, but add an inch to every dip you take into the water. It is important to stretch beyond the expected because, as stressful as it may seem, it is only a fraction of what it means to be a genuine teacher.  Keeping that in mind, it is okay to be at your own level and at your own point. Don’t base your success on the progress and success of others because your success is your own.  Do what you can to experience more preparation, more interaction, and more real teaching experiences, this is what will make you more than just an intern. You are your own student and your own teacher.
(Here are six starting points to finding that balance: http://www.noodlenook.net/finding-a-work-life-balance/)

            You will be given many labels in your endeavor: student, student teacher, intern, mentee, and more. Ignore those labels, luv. You are exactly what you aspire to be, you are a teacher. You will feel the stress, the concern, and every piece of hair that falls away. You will feel the excitement, the hope, and the smile that constantly threatens a stern disposition. You will know what it means to be a teacher as you sacrifice your personal time and thoughts to the ideas that swell your mind: “this activity would be fun,” “I bet they would understand better if I used this tool,” “the kids would be so bored with this,” “how can I help them…,” such thoughts swarming constantly. Humor these questions, but make one question the sole inquisition of your role as an intern, as a teacher,

“Are you going to be a good teacher, or a great one?”

As you blossom into your future as a teacher, recognize there are no limitations to your learning as a teacher. Being a great teacher means you will recognize follies and set about to seek remedies, it means you will know the limits of your students and set about to challenge them in and beyond those limits, it means that you will make sacrifices and set about to know the balance of your personal life and your school life, it means so much more than being just a good teacher.

You are going to be fantastic. Know that.

Miss Bailey