I have finished my first week of student teaching! This week was full of making schedules, talking with teachers, observing classes, and meeting my students. I have nailed down my daily schedule: I have three planning periods, three 9th grade classes, one tutorial (study hall), and one 12th grade British Literature class. This allows me to work both with the freshmen and the seniors, which is really going to stretch me, but I am excited for it! I start full-time teaching in February, but I will be teaching all three 9th grade classes on Monday and Friday this coming week, and reviewing homework on Tuesday. Most of student teaching is not the actual teaching. Most of my time, at least right now, is spent planning. I'm planning an overview of the quarter, my lesson plans for next week, my bulletin board idea, fun games and activities I can do in the classroom, and more. Already, hours have been spent with my cooperating teacher to nail down things like expectations, standards, classroom management, and schedules. The good news is that I feel very involved. I feel as if my cooperating teacher and I are partners, working to bring about the common goal of knowledgable and disciplined and compassionate students. And that is really exciting.
In terms of what is going on personally, I am still adjusting to the time change and jet lag (Thailand is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time). I have been blessed to be hosted this first week by three sweet teachers who live across the main road from the school. They have been super sweet in caring for me. They have all raised support to serve at GIS, which is really a testament to their hearts for students.
I will be renting a townhome/duplex place with a social studies teacher named Becky and an elementary teacher's aide named Cara for the remainder of my three months here. This place is in the same neighborhood as the school and just a short walk away. The girl who currently lives with Becky is getting married this weekend, so I will move in once she has moved. Cara arrives late Sunday night from Texas, and she will move in shortly after that.
Speaking of Cara's arrival, I am reminded of the current political situation in Thailand. I am in the northern part of Thailand where it is calm, but there have been political demonstrations in Bangkok. I would ask you to lift up that we would remain protected in Chiang Mai and that, if there are demonstrations, they would be peaceful. We are taking precautions, and most people at the school believe we will not have any trouble.
Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement! I have been really blessed by the opportunity to make friends, meet students, get to know people, and learn from some awesome teachers and staff. I already feel like GIS is a family and I am blessed to be here for my student teaching.
There is always much more to write about and I appreciate your patience in giving me time to write some more of it! Until then,
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"Seek Him. Be Here. Be His."
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