Tuesday, August 27, 2013

{I teach. It's what I do} - Teacher Talk Link Up

Good morning, y'all. This time next week, it will be the FIRST day of school. YIKES! Where on Earth did summer go?

I am super excited to me a part of the blog linkup that the lovely Jamie & Nicole are hosting. Teacher Talk. Who doesn't love connecting with other bloggers who share your passion for your profession? When I saw their announcement, I thought this was perfect to connect with other teachers who are either veterans, in their first year, or on the road to becoming a teacher!

So, let's get down to it!

Who am I? My name is Kristin and I am a Spanish teacher. I currently have my certification in Spanish 7-12 with a middle childhood extension (say that five times fast). Basically, I can teach Spanish from grades 5-12. I also have a minor in French...my goal is to be able to teach BOTH languages one day (I am only lacking 8 credits to have my French certification). Plus, my Special Education certification is pending. I am still on the hunt for my perfect teaching job. When school starts next week, I will be going back to my Teaching Assistant (TA) position. Essentially, I help co-teach with 3-4 other Spanish teachers and help assist the class. When it comes to testing, I take the special education students out to ensure they get their testing modifications. I don't have to grade (although I strangely enjoy doing it!) and I do not have to plan any lessons.

I am thrilled to have this again but like I said yesterday, I am somewhat jealous of everyone I know getting a full time job. I am going to continue to look for my dream job and even out of state. So if you know of a school looking for a Spanish teacher (middle school is my dream job!), holler at me!

Why do I teach? I originally wanted to be a pediatrician growing up. I liked kids and I think watching George Clooney as Dr.Ross on ER had something to do with it. In the back of my mind, I figured I could always be a teacher (let's face it...there's a LOT of information to memorize/know as a doctor and I had a feeling med school would be hard!). After my 6th grade guidance counselor told me I was too stupid to be a doctor, I thought 'Well, I'll just be a teacher!' I had always played school when I was little.

    When I was in middle school, we had to take half a year of Spanish and half a year of French in 6th grade. I simply fell in love with learning languages. I thought it was interesting and enjoyed learning about another culture. Plus, my teacher, Mrs.Reith, was amazing. I was fortunate to have her all three years of middle school. I had ultimately chosen to learn Spanish (they make you decide halfway through 6th grade) and she told me in 8th grade, if I was serious about wanting to be a Spanish teacher, it would benefit me to take French in high school. As a 9th grader, I took French 1/2 honors. I was the only freshman in the class! I continued to take both languages through high school until my senior year when I chose Spanish AP over French because they were both scheduled the same period.

When I wrote my college admission essay with my applications, I wrote about someone who had a major impact on my life. And that person was Mrs.Reith. She ultimately showed me through her teaching the type of teacher I wanted (and hoped) to be. I went back and gave her a copy of my essay. It made her cry. What teacher doesn't love seeing proof that you are making a difference in the lives of your students? I even kept in contact with her while I was student teaching and we met up. I am eternally grateful that she inspired me to become a teacher. Otherwise, I don't know where I would be today.

I also teach because I believe it is what God destined me to do in life as my calling. I enjoyed playing school as a child and office supplies give me a "rush" as silly as that sounds. I enjoy buying new pens, notebooks, and folders. New school supplies is like Christmas morning!! I want to be able to make a difference in the lives of my students. I want to be able to take a tough concept (say like stem changing verbs) and be able to explain it in simple steps to some student who might be struggling. I want to be an inspiration to my students like Mrs.Reith was to me and hopefully they will want to be a language teacher one day! Notes like these (from two of my 7th graders last year) make the long days worth while:




9 comments:

  1. Good luck with the start of the school year! I am a teacher in the UK - I am going into my 7th year of teaching. I look forward to hear of your journey :-)

    Missy

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    1. That's awesome! I loved the UK when I visited when I was abroad. Now following so I can read more about your journey!

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  2. Good luck with the start of your year! I'm teaching high school math. I look forward to reading more about your teaching career :)

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    1. Thanks!! I look forward to reading more about your teaching career. Following now from the link up. :)

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  3. I am going to be honest and say taht I stopped reading when you said that you help with the Special ed students and make accomodations for them to take their tests. That is the coolest thing ever and more school need that kind of option. My mom teaches special ed and the main stream teachers just want her kids out of their classroom...It is ABSURD. Good for you for doing what it takes to give EVERYONE the education they are entiled to.

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  4. Your Dr. Ross comment made me laugh!!!! Who didn't love ER?? Ha! I think it is so neat that from a young age you really studied for your future career. Now I need to come to NY to learn spanish!

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    1. I think I was convinced when I watched ER I could marry Dr.Ross! Lol. I'd teach it! I am thrilled to read more about your first year. Your blog gives me such encouragement when I am down in the dumps so thank you. :)

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  5. Gosh, I have been working so hard on my Spanish since being in Costa Rica. Becoming "fluent in a language" is proving to be much harder than it seems. Any tips?

    Thanks for coming to comment on my blog!

    Lauren @ How Beautiful Are The Feet

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    1. The more you practice, the more you will learn! Labeling things in both Spanish & English will help you. Also, languages have a lot of cognates (words that look similar to the English equivalent) so that helps. I also listen to Spanish music.

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