Dear Vaughn,
I
hope this finds you well and you are about to embark on your student teaching
this spring. All the work you have done will finally amount to something so do
not lose faith. I can prove to you I know what I’m talking about because I’m
the only one that knows about those hidden love poems in your journal. Trust
me, take this letter seriously. You might have had a rough start but you are being
thrown into a family that will keep you close and keep in your best interest. The
one thing that I wish I would have done differently is to get all your medical
things done at the beginning of the semester or during Christmas break so that
you miss as little as possible. You will get sick a few times but you should
power through it and miss as little as possible! Practice like you would for
your own classroom. Your program will
help you a lot with time management and literary practices. Use them for your
students’ benefit. Just breathe and
realize three preps as a student teacher is actually a lot and you will only
have two preps next fall. Make sure you
make time for you college work but also realize students need you and they rely
on you whether you realize it or not. The articles will help you apply new
strategies to your own teaching so take notes and prepare. Plan. Plan. Plan.
The biggest thing I can give you is the advice to be organized and prepared.
Those who prepare for everything really don’t have to deal with much of
anything. Go to your friends for help
but be self-reliant. You can finish this semester strong. Smile and breathe.
You will be done before you know it; time really does fly when you are busy
having fun. So have fun, enjoy your extra free time.
Best and to thine own self be true,
;)
Vaughn
Ninacska
Vaughn -
ReplyDeleteIt has been great to work with you this semester! I had no idea about all these little events that were happening with you along the way. I wish I would have know so I could have helped in some way. I'm glad you came away from this experience learning a lot and with a specific plan. Please keep in touch as you move into the next chapter of your life at West High!
-Allie
Dear Miss Vaughn,
ReplyDeleteWho knew that we would encounter each other during your first semester at West High (an encounter that would change both of our lives for the better)? Where to begin... You were amazing with my 7th hour students. They loved you, respected you and looked to you for guidance. Your help with grading, organization, the Greek review, and so many other aspects were priceless. You fought. You fought hard to stand up for what was right for you. Thank goodness. Without student teaching at West, you might not have been here for the long haul. The universe has a strange way of working itself out. Thank goodness! Thank you for the lovely painting of my favorite poem, my scarf, the flowers (twice), our conversations... You are truly a kind soul with a huge heart and love those West High babies with all of your being. You are willing to learn, take constructive criticism, and grow. This will serve you well. Thank you again for all you have done for the kids and for me. May you have a glorious summer. Get lots of rest, have fun storm chasing and planning a wedding, and craft away. See you in the fall, if not before.
I know I used the word "thank" over and over. All I have to say is, repetition is good in this situation. :)
All the best,
Mrs. Quincy
Dear Miss Vaughn,
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoyed your letter to yourself. There are so many things that we all wish that we could tell ourselves. I especially enjoy the " Practice like you would for your own classroom." That should definitely be applied to all student teachers. There are so many things that we do just for our student teaching that we do not realize will actually be easily applied to our own room; from classroom management to lesson plans it can all easily be adapted to our own rooms.
"The biggest thing I can give you is the advice to be organized and prepared." Even the most well organized and planned teacher can be thrown off, so just remember that as long as we are well organized and planned we have a leg up on things.
I just keep reminding myself that we need to greet each day with a smile, just like with our students. Even if the previous day brought us terrible things, today is a new day.
I hope you enjoy the beginnings of your new life. We have worked so hard to get here! Congratulations, you did it!!
Ms. Roseberry