Characteristics I see in my students are mirrored in my work

I have "walked around the perimeters of my emotional room" today as I processed my emotional reactions of where I stand.
In the beginning I was hurt, emotional, and felt like giving up. I was trying to do what I could to make sure the progress in the classroom was lightened, focusing on the students and mentor teacher's duties. I would end up staying up at all hours of the night frantically trying to finish things at the last minute. Then when I do not get an acceptable grade I feel like crying.
My focus was not on the finish line, race, or children - the reasons why I chose to enter the internship.
The focus was on the paper before me.

It took a long time to come to the realization that if I step back and see the rules of the game, expectations and my performance it IS fair. I went as far as to write "You need to do it now. focus." on a post it.
It does not matter that my kids returned home. That is temporary.
It does not matter that my computer has crashed on me. That is not the only one available.
It does not matter that there are many details - I was told to be specific.
Just do it.
I had to remind myself that the instructors have the best interest of the children at heart.
I had to remind myself that I was provided ample time to do my assignments.
I had to remind myself that I am not alone in my struggles.

I am praying that my resolve will tide me to the end.

I have witnessed all these reactions in the classroom - I now know exactly how they feel.

I need to persevere to show them - no matter the obstacle, one must go on. My sleeves are pulled up.
Keep me in your prayers

My clock is on steroids!

I used to think the time flew by fast earlier this summer but during school hours the time is seriously on overdrive! Yesterday after the students were dismissed for the day I sat in the classroom and thought to myself, "How can we as teachers cram all the knowledge we can into we weeks provided and still believe the kids 'get it?'" I look back and already three and a half weeks are gone. Wow. I think of all the things we did with the students so far, all the assignments I need to do and I am amazed at how it seems I went three whole weeks going from morning to night trying to get things done, knowing my time was short. Little did I know how short it was! Back to the grinding stone.

Getting to the nitty gritty of homework

One of the realities of internship is the amount of initial homework one has. These assignments would be easy at home because I knew the inner workings of our school. I had worked at the data organization "department" for statistical data, administered the migrant ed paperwork, etc. During my first weeks at the Bethel school I focused on the new curriculum, the size of the school, the size of the population (you can put the population of my whole village in the school and have room to spare!!!!) Then the first assignment comes in and it asks for the statistical data, find the responsibilities of the school staff...

Well... I looked at the assignment and said okay...now that school has begun and my focus is with the kids in my class, and I have to be in the classroom during the times I am "In School" I need to find time to interview staff. If they were to ask me about the students in particular ( and I have a class assignment asking this) I can answer which students "got it," which students don't, and which students need serious help.

If I had this assignment given to me in the days of inservice I would have the time, and the staff would have the time also, to sit down and answer basic questions of introduction. Instead the orientation for mentors and interns occurred the evening before the first day of school for the students. We did not get the syllabi for the classes at this orientation, but each was available the night before the first day of each class. Suffice it to say I was a bit overwhelmed. I have this glitch in my system that I tend to feel overwhelmed until i get everything organized and see the big picture of what I need to do, how much time each assignment may take, and find a time pattern of duties before I get too far into an assignment. I finally got that done this week. Mainly because my last "first day of class" was on Friday. I got binders together and tabbed the reading for at least three segments, organized the files on the computer and I should be good to go. Wish me luck and please keep me in your prayers!!!

Storytown and Everyday Mathematics

I am so relieved I attended the inservice for StoryTown. Districtwide we will be using these two books for reading/writing and math. I do not believe our instructors in the university internship program are aware of the curriculum requirements of the districts. We are to use StoryTown for 90 minutes each day. Each lesson plan included spans one week's worth of various assignments. I have been in class with students this week and have seen this at work. So far I love the "robust vocabulary" My mentor teacher has very effective methods to make sure the kids remember these words.

I greatly enjoy being in the classroom!

Wow I am starting my internship year

The countdown has begun! I am presently sitting in an inservice at Gladys Jung Elementary. It is my third day and there is so much new technological usage that my mind is blown away with excitement! Smart boards, notebooks, ichat.... whew! I am so excited for this year! I still do not have my own apartment or house but I am enjoying my time in my parents home. I was so psyched about starting I arrived at 7:30 AM only to find that the kids start school at 8:30. There are 400+ teachers in the inservice and from what I have seen they are so awesome! There is a lot of things I am unfamiliar with but I will dive into them with great gusto!

SMILING!

Unofficial Daycare nights and weekends

I am beginning to learn to tune out noise while doing my homework. We have kids around most of the time but lately I feel like there is a sign I cannot see that reads "Unofficial Daycare Center" on my door. Its usually my grandkids and once in a while my nephews. This can get tough when it comes time to finish assignments. Sometimes I think everyone else just don't care so much that they just "forget" I have classes that require a lot of reading and writing. Either that or its just more important for them to play ball, watch others play ball or go play bingo. I don't mind because they do ask before they go - its just that sometimes I feel that my studies are not considered important enough to give me time to do them in peace and quiet. I usually get them done once the kids are all asleep or before my son wakes up in the morning.

Anna "Arnallguuk" Evan ?? -3/1/2011

In my lifetime I have only met a few elders who really treated me like one of their own. Anna Evan was one of those elders. Once I had children she would teasingly ask me to give them to her. She loved children. Being shy she never went to community gatherings, preferring to stay home but somehow she knew everyone and always asked about others, once kids were born she knew them by their namesakes. When she knew a lot of people were here from out of town she would let her family cook for them. This blog cannot give justice to the struggles she endured. She lost her husband, some of her children, grandchildren and was left to care for the kids even as she endured sickness. She is survived by her sister Natalia Alexie, brother Nick Asetekluk, children Joe Klukluk, Matrona Evan, Virginia Evan, Nastasia Kameroff, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Respected elder Craftswoman leaves our community

Natalia Changsak, sister-in-law to my grandmother Marie, passed away in Anchorage, Alaska after a long suffering illness. Best known to all for her crafts making and teaching of those crafts. The body arrived this evening. I am grateful for all she has taught me. I have great memories of her and the other elders gathering each week to do crafts - anything from fur sewing, knitting, crocheting... those were great times.

Introducing my second grandchild Aaliyah Molly Stephanoff

My eldest daughter delivered a healthy baby girl on December 26, 2010. 8 lbs, 10 ounces, 21 inches long. Charitina and her hubby Theodore Pete are so proud of her, as am I. Nicholas and Jordan have been full of questions and requests to hold the cutie. Amazing how time flies - I can still remember the days just before and during Charitina's birth and here she is holding her own baby girl.