Journey into iTeachAZ

Here is a quick little recap of last week, I was unable to post about because I had no internet :)  Now, I hope to post every night or so about my journey through the program and in the classroom. 

January 3, 2012

Its 9pm Arizona time and I am already in my PJs watching a pageant video to help me wind down and get a good nights sleep as tomorrow I have to be up and ready to go pretty early (for me at least).  Over the last year I got use to waking up when I pleased so getting back on a schedule maybe kinda hard.  I feel like a “big girl” seeing that I ironed my nice dress slacks for tomorrow and already have my full outfit hanging and ready for me to put on.  To be honest, as of right now I am not as nervous as I thought I would be but in the morning maybe a whole different story.  

January 4, 2012

Today marks my first day in the IteachAZ program through ASU.  It has been an adventure getting here but I am beyond excited that it has FINALLY arrived!  Today we had what our main mentor teacher Cece calls “Boot Camp.”  During boot camp we received our keys to the school and ended the day with a trip to the district office to get our official badge.  Through out the day we discussed the Paradise Valley School District as well as what to expect during the next 18 months.  Tomorrow starts our ASU classes- we will be taking a total of 22 units this semester on top of spending Monday and Tuesday mornings in our mentor’s classroom.  I think it is safe to say that I will be living and breathing school and thats about all for the next 18 weeks.  

January 5, 2012

A day of ASU classes was the theme for the day.  We had 3 courses today that stretched out from 10am to 7pm, because of scheduling conflicts Thursday’s schedule is going to be revised.  Our first course was Child Development and Education where we will be learning about different child development theories and putting the theories to use in our mentor’s class as well as different classes on campus.  The afternoon was spent talking about our Field Experience class and FINALLY learning our first eight week placement.  I learned I would be placed at Aire Libre Elementary in a grades 1-5 self contained Autistic class.  I am beyond excited about this- a couple years ago I fell in love with a little guy who was autistic, so my fingers are crossed these kids with capture my heart just like that little guy did.  The night ended with our technology course, where we ran into endless problems with the internet wanting to work.  

January 6, 2012

Today was another “late start day” as we only had a quick Americorps meeting to learn about the organization and to sign up for some “free” money in exchange for hours in the classroom.  Why would I say no to money? After all we are paying out of state tuition! 

 After the meeting, I went to meet my mentor teacher!! I was a nervous wreck on the drive but once I got there I took a deep breathe and everything went smooth.  (It reminded me a ton of how I get right before walking throw the door into a rodeo queen interview)  My teacher Mr. H meet me in the office and gave a quick tour and introduced me to all the important people.  The Principal Mr. G is a hoot, which made meeting him that much easier.  I can tell I am really going to enjoy my time at this school and will be sad to leave.  I stayed on campus for a hour and a half just observing and getting a quick feel for the class.  Mr. H teaches eight students (6 boys and 2 girls) and has three “paras” aka assistances working in his classroom.  There are three students who do not speak and use pictures for communicating, which will just add to the experience.  I was lucky enough to join the class for group work and they taught me the “hello song” and “good bye song.”  There is one little boy that I can tell I am going to fall for quickly.  He was super excited today because their special was PE and to hear him say PE was the cutest thing EVER! He is actually one of the students that doesn’t speak (which I learned later) because from the time I got there until PE that was ALL he was saying, it was great.  Once Mr. H and I dropped the students off at PE he continued our tour and introduced me to more ladies that I will be working closely with during my time in his class.  I can’t wait to go back on Monday and jump into the school routine with this group of students!  In all honesty I was REALLY nervous about being placed in a male teacher’s classroom because they are SO different than female teachers; but after meeting Mr. H I was able to see how much he loves his students and truly enjoys what he is doing.  His room may not be “decorated” to my likings but what he does have all around his room his “art” projects by his students, which makes it extra special for them.    Aw, I am so excited!! 

This weekend I will be getting prepared for the classroom and getting everything ready for my classes at night.  It’s going to be a VERY BUSY next 18 months but I wouldn’t change it for anything.