TAFE Plan for 2014-2015

I am so excited for TAFE next year! I plan on competing in Job interview, Impromptu Speaking, and Service Project and My TAFE Moment is an option to choose from as well. I think that these would be good for me because I am a confident speaker and I am good with my words. And the service project is a good option because I have this year as an advantage, plus volunteering is my favorite thing in the world. I plan on executing my plan by coming after school and taking my own time to work ahead and be completely prepared. I also want to get lots of advice from the wise, Mrs. Stevens. I am so pumped for the next year that I will not let deadlines be the deciding factor. And I hope to be have a leadership position next year as well. I would like to be the President of the class or at least a VP of LES again. I want to be involved as much as Mrs. Stevens will allow me.

My Favorite Memory with Interning

It is really hard for my to pick my favorite memory because I have had so many great opportunities and experiences this year. At first, my favorite memory was when in the midst of all the anxiety of stepping up in front of people who are barely 3 years younger then me and being so nervous about them just liking me, I checked my Instagram and I had twenty-five new followers. I had twenty-five set of eyes watching my every move… but instead of finding this nerve-racking like it may sound, I found comfort and hope in the fact that my students wanted to know me on a personal level. I had done something right… my kids already liked me. And on a side note- many teachers claim that it shouldn't matter if your students like you or not because you aren't there to be liked but to teach. To me, that's complete rubbish. If a student doesn't like you it's nearly impossible to get respect. If a student doesn't like you or doesn't respect you, how can you think that you, as a person who isn't liked or respected, will get through to them and teach them things that they probably don't really care about. You can't. Not to mention the relationship aspect of teaching. Relationships are the basis of a strong educational experience. Being liked is just a realistic factor of teaching, it isn't only important, but necessary. My other favorite memory is when I had to help one of my students with writing their essay. It is easy to get a student to find the correct answer with giving them clues or keys to understand… but it is a totally different story when you must get the student to find and understand a whole concept. I was having to teach how to properly condense writing without taking out details you need. I worked with this one student for most of the class period because this is a skill that he must have and his writing was strong, but extremely lengthy. After finally getting him to not only understand but to also feel confident, he finished revising his essay. Then after having time for the essays to be graded and returned, he proudly rushed up to me to tell me that he received a 4, the highest grade for an essay. I was beaming with pride… to many people this would be a good moment because their student got a good grade or because the student no longer needs the teachers help anymore, but to me this moment meant the world… I had helped a student reached their goal, I had done my job as a teacher. My sweet student quickly yet softly replied with, "It's all because of you. Thank you." and then I was able to reply, "Oh no, it was all because of you!" My student and I both left with smiles that day. Despite how cliche and cheesy this story sounds, it is completely true and I will never forget it.

My Year

Here is a video I made composed of some of my favorite memories. I hope you like it!