It's official!!! I'm teaching 1st grade in the fall!
For those who don't know, I was accepted as an intern earlier this semester, but there has been a big question as to what grade I will teach. For one thing, the school is splitting, the legislative period determined a lot, and teachers were switching grades like crazy. I'm so happy, though, because at first they thought I was interested in the upper grades and lately I've been more and more interested in the lower grades, so this is perfect. When my principal said that they were hoping one of us could teach in first, I just sort of raised my hand and said, "Actually, I would love to teach first grade!" When I went to do some observations at the school, I did a little observing in third, but I was mostly put in first and I loved it. I stayed open and flexible so I wouldn't get my hopes up or anything, but I was really hoping I would get first.
This is all very interesting because just a few months ago and especially in the years past I thought there was no way I wanted to teach children as young as first! It seemed difficult, routine, and a lot like day care. Something has changed, though. I am ecstatic about this year ahead of me! It might have something to do with the classes I'm taking right now - we're studying about literacy and language arts and I decided that reading and writing would be awesome to teach! I have also had experiences (especially in my recent field experience) that have shown me how much first grade students are capable of and how much I can push and challenge them to achieve. Furthermore, I've been teaching the 6- and 7-year-olds in Primary at church, and as aggravating as they can be, you can't help but love them. Talking to my good friend Kristina, who is also a first grade teacher, I have found that she has hilarious experiences that only come from working with kids that age and that the ones that are the hardest to teach are usually the ones you love most. I am so excited!
I am excited to read books all year long, believe in Santa Claus again, and to try to catch a leprachaun on St. Patrick's Day. I am excited for macaroni noodle art, sweet colored pictures of all sorts of random things, and big hugs every day. I am especially excited, though, for that spark that sometimes comes into a child's eyes, especially when they learn how to read. Things suddenly click and it's like they're in a new world. I can't believe I get to be a teacher next year. I am the luckiest girl in the world.
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Congratulations Cami! First grade is the BEST! Be prepared to tie lot's of shoes, zip lot's of coats, and to have at least one boy in your class who eats crayons and has boogers hanging out of his nose all year long...BUT you can also prepare to get lot's of hugs, lot's of notes, lot's of "I love you's", AND to see the amazing changes those kiddos go through in one year! Good luck with your first year! (Sometime I need to tell you about my first field trip...)
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