Freedom! Nope, Not Yet.

          This isn't going to be the end.  Where did this semester go?  This is it though.  The last of my classes.  I have my practicum this fall, just a small class that goes along with that, then my student teaching.  I refuse to say it's over.  I'm scared, I have no idea what I am going to do.  I started the semester so ready and full of ideas, I'm worse off than before it started.  My beliefs, sure I thought I knew what they were, they haven't changed much but how I approach them has.  This can't be it, can it?
           I am ready for the next chapter, I think.  I don't really have a choice though at this point.  It's coming, I'm going to be the one in charge.  I have taught all my life in some way or another, I should easily be able to do this.  I should be able to stand up and deliver.  I should be, because I have to be.  I'm excited and scared, but enough of that, what have I learned in this process?
          I felt when this class first started that everyone could learn, that still holds true, but just based on my in depth Pinterest inquiry, I have found that that may need to be adapted a bit for my students. I found that technology can and should be used in different ways.  There are so many websites and resources available to help.  Gives me some sense of relief actually.  Hope, for the tired, for the weary.  RESOURCES!!  What an incredible gift that people have compiled to help new teachers, and veteran teachers looking for new attempts.  So here were my first four teaching beliefs.  Let's look at them and figure out what has changed/adapted.

1. Every student has the ability to learn something new. This is broad I realize but one that I firmly hold to. I have worked with special needs students for a long time and going back to school as an adult I know that it is hard. However, every student has the ability to learn something new, something from a different perspective. I still hold to this.  I believe every student can learn.  Debbie Miller taught us that if we set the classroom up the right way, that every student can indeed learn.   
2. Teaching/learning is fun. This is a core belief and one that has to be stretched by both the students and the teachers to hold true. It may be boring material but the process can be fun. Holding with my first belief I feel that that process of learning and teaching can sometimes be the most important part of the process. Through our OTSMA, our blogging, our Pinterest board, our writing analysis, our think alouds, our blog partners, exit cards, roundtable discussion and instructional conversation, I learned that fun might be overrated but I did learn that you can change things up constantly to make it a movement towards novelty.   
3. A relationship can be built in even just a short period of time. Impressions are made in just a few seconds, relationships can be formed off of each of those. It is important to give the pair, whomever that pair may be, time to form and build a lasting relationship. The teaching should be personalized as much as possible which will help this considerably. When Theresa and I started together this semester she was just as unsure of me as I was of myself.  Now that we have worked together on numerous projects when she sees me in the hallway she gives me a head nod.  That's saying a lot for a student with a behavior focus.  I am proud of that relationship and hopeful that my student teaching will be in this school to continue that relationship.   
4. I believe in my students. I believe they can do anything they put their minds to. I believe they are creative, imaginative and successful and will go many places with the right guidance.  Nothing new here.  I truly and firmly believe this one will stay the same.  There is always hope for our students, no matter what we do.

          Whew, that's it.  I am going to continue this blog.  It has been a great insight into myself, my teaching and my beliefs.  The map is still being written and paths are still being chosen.