So that's it. I'm done. It was a tearful goodbye, for me and for the students. But it's done. What a wonderful experience this has been. I've learned so much about myself as a person and as a teacher. I feel infinitely wiser after these short 4 months.
Just a few papers and a presentation away from being done.
What a crazy feeling.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Ending
"Fireflies" by Owl City
I know I've been talking about this time in my life being a beginning, and I really do think it is. But, this week, begins the end of an experience. I've been at The Potter's House for 4 months and this Thursday is my last day. It's been an amazing experience with lots of challenges, but a lot of amazing memories.
I think my favorite memory was from this week. I am the leader of a discipleship group of 4 boys. This week we did a service project at The Hope Network in Grand Rapids. We worked with mentally challenged adults and played basketball, ladder golf, and bean bag toss. The boys did great, they were nervous at first but with a little encouragement, they were so understanding. On the way back, I had my iPod playing, and one of the students asked if I had the song "Fireflies" by Owl City on my iPod. Fortunately, I do, and I love that song. So, on the way back from Hope Network, with 3 ten year old boys, we all sang along to "Fireflies". The 21 year old and then ten year olds, all singing along. It was hilarious, and heart warming at the same time. Epic.
I know I've been talking about this time in my life being a beginning, and I really do think it is. But, this week, begins the end of an experience. I've been at The Potter's House for 4 months and this Thursday is my last day. It's been an amazing experience with lots of challenges, but a lot of amazing memories.
I think my favorite memory was from this week. I am the leader of a discipleship group of 4 boys. This week we did a service project at The Hope Network in Grand Rapids. We worked with mentally challenged adults and played basketball, ladder golf, and bean bag toss. The boys did great, they were nervous at first but with a little encouragement, they were so understanding. On the way back, I had my iPod playing, and one of the students asked if I had the song "Fireflies" by Owl City on my iPod. Fortunately, I do, and I love that song. So, on the way back from Hope Network, with 3 ten year old boys, we all sang along to "Fireflies". The 21 year old and then ten year olds, all singing along. It was hilarious, and heart warming at the same time. Epic.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Newspapers
At the beginning of the semester I started a classroom newspaper. Because the semester has been so busy, I haven't been able to create a new one until now.
Take a look!
Take a look!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Letters
Today I found a letter on my desk from one of my students. It read as follows:
"Ms. DeVos
I will miss you when you leave. You are so beautiful and nice and generous. Everyone will miss you. Ms. DeVos, I hope you will be a great 4th grade teacher. I hope they are good. Thank you for coming to TPH.
Will Always Miss You,
Yuli"
It's going to be so hard to leave...
"Ms. DeVos
I will miss you when you leave. You are so beautiful and nice and generous. Everyone will miss you. Ms. DeVos, I hope you will be a great 4th grade teacher. I hope they are good. Thank you for coming to TPH.
Will Always Miss You,
Yuli"
It's going to be so hard to leave...
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Beginning
"Everything" by The Classic Crime
I did it. I finished my resume and cover letter and it looks great! Now... just to use it. My supervising teacher is really enthusiastic about me handing in my resume, and she wants me to do it tomorrow. Oy vey, talk about pressure. But, it's finished and ready to hand in.
This week is going to be intense. Unit plan due Tuesday, plus a few other projects. But I have a few fun things this week too. Going to a concert of The Classic Crime, Medina Lake, Ivoryline and Don't Ever Tell. I'm pretty excited. Also, going to a banquet Thursday night to support TPH.
The end is in sight, and this is just the beginning.
I did it. I finished my resume and cover letter and it looks great! Now... just to use it. My supervising teacher is really enthusiastic about me handing in my resume, and she wants me to do it tomorrow. Oy vey, talk about pressure. But, it's finished and ready to hand in.
This week is going to be intense. Unit plan due Tuesday, plus a few other projects. But I have a few fun things this week too. Going to a concert of The Classic Crime, Medina Lake, Ivoryline and Don't Ever Tell. I'm pretty excited. Also, going to a banquet Thursday night to support TPH.
The end is in sight, and this is just the beginning.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Success
"Missing" by Flyleaf
So, I'm finished with my full time teaching at TPH and am sort of coasting till the end of the school year. I have been working almost exclusively with one student throughout the day, but it doesn't require any preparation on my part. It sounds fantastic, but, I have so much work due for Calvin that I have no idea how I'm going to get it done.
I find myself so exhausted after the school day that when I get home, working on homework sounds like the least appealing thing to do. When I do have energy, I don't want to be sitting at my desk, I want to be outside going for a walk , or just relaxing. In the back of my mind, I know I have a million things to get done, and I should put all of my effort into them, but I just don't want to. In all reality I do have time to get done the things that I need to, but there's something standing in the way. And that thing that seems to be standing in the way of my success is me. I've been thinking about this strange juxtaposition lately.
I want to succeed, I think everyone does, but yet sometimes we as people can be so detrimental to ourselves. Why is this? We are our own worst enemy when it comes to success. I could be healthier, if I went for a run instead of watching TV. I could have better grades, if I spent more time in studying. I could have these assignments already finished, if I had planned better. I could blame these problems on other things, but when it comes down to it, the main problem in all of these cases is me. It can even be small things, like getting to school on time in the morning... I've been getting up later and later. It used to be promptly at 5:40, and now it's 6... 6:15...6:30... then I feel embarassed when I get to school late. But yet, i don't change my ways, I savor that extra half an hour in bed. Do I not want to succeed?
Why do I seem to find ways to make myself fail?
So, I'm finished with my full time teaching at TPH and am sort of coasting till the end of the school year. I have been working almost exclusively with one student throughout the day, but it doesn't require any preparation on my part. It sounds fantastic, but, I have so much work due for Calvin that I have no idea how I'm going to get it done.
I find myself so exhausted after the school day that when I get home, working on homework sounds like the least appealing thing to do. When I do have energy, I don't want to be sitting at my desk, I want to be outside going for a walk , or just relaxing. In the back of my mind, I know I have a million things to get done, and I should put all of my effort into them, but I just don't want to. In all reality I do have time to get done the things that I need to, but there's something standing in the way. And that thing that seems to be standing in the way of my success is me. I've been thinking about this strange juxtaposition lately.
I want to succeed, I think everyone does, but yet sometimes we as people can be so detrimental to ourselves. Why is this? We are our own worst enemy when it comes to success. I could be healthier, if I went for a run instead of watching TV. I could have better grades, if I spent more time in studying. I could have these assignments already finished, if I had planned better. I could blame these problems on other things, but when it comes down to it, the main problem in all of these cases is me. It can even be small things, like getting to school on time in the morning... I've been getting up later and later. It used to be promptly at 5:40, and now it's 6... 6:15...6:30... then I feel embarassed when I get to school late. But yet, i don't change my ways, I savor that extra half an hour in bed. Do I not want to succeed?
Why do I seem to find ways to make myself fail?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Fights
"Airplanes" by B.o.B and Hayley Williams (click it, it's a link to the song)
This morning I had an awesome conference with my Professor after an observation of a lesson. In the middle of the meeting one of the other teachers at TPH came up and said "Are you her supervisor? I just want you to know, she's amazing" and just starting telling my Professor about the work I had been doing in the school and how much of a blessing I was. As you can imagine, after that I was feeling pretty good. The rest of the day went pretty well but I left school pretty tired. Coming home knowing that there was a long night of homework ahead, I was a little on edge. I went home for about 2 minutes to change and got into the stupidest fight with one of my friends and it really destroyed my good mood. I hate that one stupid fight can ruin my mood entirely.
On a different note, I think it's time for me to mend some bridges. I'm hoping my pride will step down for long enough to allow me to do so.
This morning I had an awesome conference with my Professor after an observation of a lesson. In the middle of the meeting one of the other teachers at TPH came up and said "Are you her supervisor? I just want you to know, she's amazing" and just starting telling my Professor about the work I had been doing in the school and how much of a blessing I was. As you can imagine, after that I was feeling pretty good. The rest of the day went pretty well but I left school pretty tired. Coming home knowing that there was a long night of homework ahead, I was a little on edge. I went home for about 2 minutes to change and got into the stupidest fight with one of my friends and it really destroyed my good mood. I hate that one stupid fight can ruin my mood entirely.
On a different note, I think it's time for me to mend some bridges. I'm hoping my pride will step down for long enough to allow me to do so.
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