I miss one week and I'm getting harassed. I have been meaning to update this though. My goal is at least once a week. Apparently, I missed that. Sorry.
Everything has been really good. I was telling some people that that's what it just is.. GOOD. No drama. No stress. No working on the weekends. It's just simply good. I'm enjoying my time with my kids. I feel like I have a story everyday from them. They are so stinkin funny. I'm enjoying my time with Lindsay and Craig, spending nights that I'm laughing so much I'm crying, spending nights staying up late and just talking with Linds, like the old days :]. It's just been so relaxing.
Last weekend we went to the beach and the largest mall in the Carribbean, along with the largest Old Navy. This weekend we didn't have school Friday or tomorrow, so we went to the beach in San Juan on Friday, the outlets yesterday, Old San Juan today, and tomorrow we're going to another beach on the opposite side of the island. I think this one is one that's part of the Carribbean Sea, so it's crystal clear water. So pretty.
Um. What else.. I tried what I think is the most popular form of puerto rican food.. monfongo. Look it up. It's like mashed plantains. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't think there was much taste to it.
I did end up talking to my teacher on her expectations of me. She said I've about finished my student teaching so she didn't think I was expected to teach at all and it was more observance and if I did teach, it wouldn't be until after I've been there a month. Lindsay said it's more because I need to get acquainted with the culture before I'm able to teach the kids.. that's understandable for sure. I talked to my internship coordinator and he said that this placement is different and my requirements are not the same. He said whatever I do will be between me and my mentor teacher and what she wants me to do. He said I will gain the teaching experience being there and helping when needed and just being involved in that way. I can see that too. What makes it hard is that I don't even feel like there's "teaching" anyway. The only thing that seems to be taught is Math. I haven't really seen a lesson in anything else. There's so much I wish I could do and change as far the teaching methods go. It's very teacher-centered and not student centered, which is what I've been taught. For those not familiar, teacher-centered is workbooks and the basic solid teaching in that matter. Student-centered is more focused on getting the students involved and doing something other than worksheets and workbooks. It's more hands on learning and instruction that will best meet their form of learning. So it's been rough in that aspect.
Other than that, things are good! I got a call about a week ago about a potential job at a preschool opening up in Knoxville. He left me a message, I called him back and got the voicemail and left him a message. Last week I hadn't heard from him and every time I got the voicemail. I left another message on Wednesday just forming him that I was interested and would like to talk to him more about the preschool and everything. We'll see where it goes. It was really, really exciting getting that first call. It also helped because someone talked me up to him and said he had nothing but great things to say. The guy happened to be one of the officers that does security at the theater. Picks on me all the time but told them I was a great worker and that I would fit right in with the people there. :] We'll see what happens. Hopefully this week I'll get a call back. Be praying. I've also got 3 more applications I really need to get on the ball with. That will be my goal this week. It's mid-March. I am definitely slacking.
Sorry it's so long. I will really try to update more frequently so each one isn't a novel.
Instead of trying to get pictures on here (it's a pain), you can go to the following links to see some. Let me know if they don't work.
Where I'm staying:
Beach Number One:
Beach Number Two (visit from my sister) plus more pictures including Old San Juan:
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