Student Teaching at Sharon School, TN

Going away card from the students

     You know, I have to say that I had a wonderful student teaching experience. I learned a lot about what teaching is like outside of a theory environment and I was lucky enough to work with wonderful teachers and amazing students. I'm really going to miss working with Missy Estes and the awesome kids at Sharon School in Sharon, TN.

     Mrs. Estes was super supportive and helpful, giving me tonnes of advice and plenty of room to practice my craft. I couldn't have asked for a better cooperating teacher. She's an amazing educator and helped me feel welcome and that I've made the right decision in my choice of careers. While working with her, I was lucky enough to attend 2 field trips with the students, one to a play in Huntingdon and the Beta convention in Nashville. Here is a picture of Mrs. Estes and me having a blast during the Beta convention:

    The Beta convention was amazing! There were around 7 thousand students at the Opryland Convention Center and the atmosphere was electric. The students were all extremely well behaved and seemed to really enjoy the trip. I mean, who wouldn't enjoy a weekend at the Opryland Convention Center!? I will post an album with pictures of the trip soon.

    Now that my student teaching experience is over, I look back and realize how much I'm going to miss these kids. They were great to work with, attentive, and eager to learn. Everyone has told me about how difficult junior high students are but I couldn't disagree more. I'm truly going to miss these kids and it's shocking how quickly and easily you become attached to them. I decided to crash the schools Christmas party a couple of weeks ago and you'd think they hadn't seen me in years! I was swarmed by a crowd of jubilant students the second I peeked my head in the door and promptly group-hugged with a vengeance! Those kids are awesome and I can only hope that I get another group like them this year.

   On my last day there, the students got together and made me a going away card...a HUGE going away card lol. It was very sweet and I can't remember ever feeling so blessed and appreciated. On top of that, Mrs. Estes made me a loaf of zucchini bread and a basket of goodies (all the great teacher swag: post-its, pens and pencils, stapler, paperclips, and other assorted supplies). I will forever look back fondly on my days at Sharon School and hope the best for Mrs. Estes, the faculty, and the amazing students!