Reflection: 2013

Thinking back to my days as a freshman, I can see that I have come a very long way. But perhaps the most important thing I have learned while at ENC is that just because I've come a long way does not mean I don't still have a very long way to go. Yes, I have grown, but my classes, prepracticum, and practicum have all taught me that I have a lot more growing to do. To sum it up, this experience has been a humbling one. I am very grateful for the materials I was able to create and use while student teaching. I believe those will be an enormous help. But more so, I am grateful for the times when Iw as sure that things could be going better, or when I felt that I had done something horribly wrong. Those were the experiences that helped me grow. If every aspect of student teaching had been full of sunshine and butterflies, then surely teaching on my own would come as a horrible shock. I tried to embrace those mess-ups, and discuss them with my teacher for advice on what to do better, or write about it in my teaching journals so I could try and figure out solutions on my own. Looking back, it seems like each journal has been a mini-reflection in its own right. I am so blessed to have been given such a host of opportunities as I have received while here. I have been able to work in a high school setting, but I've also worked with my peers and younger children as well. These experiences stretched me and brought me to where I am today. I cannot wait to continue reflecting, growing, and seeing where I end up!