When I first came to BYU, my heart was SO set on being a music education major. It never really felt right, but my mind was made up and nothing was ever going to change it. It never even occurred to me that the Lord might have another plan for me. However, he was patient and let me go through the application process and come SO close to being accepted. He let me travel down the wrong road until I hit a dead end and was humble enough to turn to Him and find out what He wanted me to do.
Elementary Education seemed like a natural "second choice". I had always wanted to be a teacher, and I knew that I loved kids and that I absolutely love to learn. I prayed about my decision, but never got an immediate answer. I decided to go through with it and started taking El Ed classes. Over the course of the past few semesters, I have received small reassurances that have helped me to know that I had found my correct path. I've still had moments where that nasty voice in my head has said:"There's no way you can do this." Instead of listening to this voice, I listen to the other one that says, "There's no way you can do this ALONE."
After two years' worth of classes, in the El Ed program we go through two semesters of practicum. In the first semester, the one I am in now, we are assigned to a kindergarten, first, or second grade classroom in the school district we have signed up with and spend a month teaching and working in the classroom. I signed up with Alpine School District and was assigned to a first grade class. After 8 weeks of classes preparation, our classes suddenly ended for a month this past Monday. My stomach was in knots all day Monday. In my prayers that night, I specifically asked the Lord that I would be able to quickly learn the students' names during my first week. By some sort of miracle, by the time I left the classroom on my first day, I knew every student's name. There's no other explanation, other than calling it divine intervention.
It only took four days in the classroom to realize that my fear and anxiety was silly. I grew to love these first graders so quickly. The days spent with them are almost too short. They love so freely. They love to give you hugs, tell you how pretty you are, and bring you leaves that they've found on the playground and double check before you leave that you will, "bring the leaves to your house." They are so eager to learn and share their experiences and what they know with you. They call you over to their desks to show you their work that they are so proud of. There's seriously nothing better than praising a student and watching their face light up. I realized this week that teaching is about these sweet souls. I know that teaching will have many challenges, but its the kids who make it all worthwhile.
Elementary Education seemed like a natural "second choice". I had always wanted to be a teacher, and I knew that I loved kids and that I absolutely love to learn. I prayed about my decision, but never got an immediate answer. I decided to go through with it and started taking El Ed classes. Over the course of the past few semesters, I have received small reassurances that have helped me to know that I had found my correct path. I've still had moments where that nasty voice in my head has said:"There's no way you can do this." Instead of listening to this voice, I listen to the other one that says, "There's no way you can do this ALONE."
After two years' worth of classes, in the El Ed program we go through two semesters of practicum. In the first semester, the one I am in now, we are assigned to a kindergarten, first, or second grade classroom in the school district we have signed up with and spend a month teaching and working in the classroom. I signed up with Alpine School District and was assigned to a first grade class. After 8 weeks of classes preparation, our classes suddenly ended for a month this past Monday. My stomach was in knots all day Monday. In my prayers that night, I specifically asked the Lord that I would be able to quickly learn the students' names during my first week. By some sort of miracle, by the time I left the classroom on my first day, I knew every student's name. There's no other explanation, other than calling it divine intervention.
It only took four days in the classroom to realize that my fear and anxiety was silly. I grew to love these first graders so quickly. The days spent with them are almost too short. They love so freely. They love to give you hugs, tell you how pretty you are, and bring you leaves that they've found on the playground and double check before you leave that you will, "bring the leaves to your house." They are so eager to learn and share their experiences and what they know with you. They call you over to their desks to show you their work that they are so proud of. There's seriously nothing better than praising a student and watching their face light up. I realized this week that teaching is about these sweet souls. I know that teaching will have many challenges, but its the kids who make it all worthwhile.
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