Last week of student teaching has arrived...I don't know how I feel about this but I know it's a mix of emotions. This blog post however will be about remembering what brought me here and the people who have paved the way.
I remember being in the nursing program and making the decision to drop it one class before entering clinicals. It was tought, I felt defeated, I cried but nevertheless I did it. I sat in my the classroom of my high school English teacher and told her about my decision. Mrs. Grant, I knew she would make me feel great about my decision and she did. I remember her telling me, "I told you years ago you had a calling for teaching English." Those words marked the start of my English education career. They were words of encouragement from a person who believed in me and who has helped me immensely during the way.
Then I remember Mr. Occhi, who had also been a teacher of mines in Central Falls. He was killed in a tragic accident which marked the lives of many of his past students. I know that if he was alive, he would have been the next person who I would have gone to when I decided to become an English teacher. From my years of high school he told me to "treasure my writing," and gave me a journal as a special place to put it in. He attended my wedding and I know that if he would have been alive he would have attended my upcoming graduation. My first semester of Secondary English Education began with me visiting his tombstone to read him a poem I had written for him. Over my semesters at RIC, I have continued to visit him and bring him little stories that I read to him. I know that wherever he is, he will be glad when I cross that stage and receive my diploma for some of his teacher spirit lives in me.
I can't even write about each and every one of the professor that i've had at RIC who have taught me what it means to be a teacher but most importantly what it means to be a human being. Professors like Feldsteing have taught me to "rent and don't buy," and Dr. Brell who taught me that personal stories belong in the classroom. Last semester Dr. Johnson allowed me to see the value of my writing when she cried while I read one of my stories...it was such a moving moment. But also i've had Duneer and Jalalzai who pushed me to be a better writer.
My first semester at RIC I entered a classroom filled of about thirty people into Adolescent Literature class and in that class I learned so much about myself as a student. Dr. Cook was the professor who taught that class and I never imagined that she would be the professor to teach me on my two semesters as an undergrad. I am thankful for her because she has taught me the power of writing and also has helped me to see why I belong in a classroom. Through her assignments and her comments I have grown greatly. I know that a part of her will live with me throughout my career. The spirit of a true teacher lives within her and I take with me the many valuable memories that I cherish about how to treat students as human beings but also teach them something valuable.
Last but not least is the person whom I sat down with this morning to have breakfast, Ms. Friendson. On behalf of it being teacher appreciation week, I brought her breakfast this morning and once again we ate together. I will be hearthbroken when I leave on Friday because many of our rituals will be broken. Every morning we have breakfast together and chat, some Fridays my husband has brought us lunch and we have had enjoyed Spanish cooking. We have had numerous conversations about all types of subject were I have learned much about what it means to be a teacher. Still I will cherish so many memories that go beyond the classroom. I have truly been gifted with the best Cooperating Teacher I could have asked for. I have enjoyed my student teaching and I know that I will probably cry once Friday comes.
There are so many people who have made a difference in my life, this list only makes up a few of those who have helped me and insipire me along the way. I am so happy to have such inspiring people and role models to learn from.
