Day Nine

So Today was fun. I went to an Elementary School and helped watch over the kid's lunch while the teachers were able to get a little more of a break from things. It was pretty fun hearing the random things kids would say or do. Also reassured me of why I'm teaching high school. I saw a lot of teachers and principles there that I knew either from church or they taught at another school that I attended as a child. It's nice to live in a small community where you know people everywhere.

My spring break was pretty solid. I stayed at home for half of it. I went to my old high school a lot and taught a few classes. It was fun being there a little more consistent than my usual once a week. All of the music students know who I am and I've taught most of them individually so i'm comfortable there. I also know all of the teachers and faculty so it helps with the all around atmosphere. I feel like a real teacher when I'm there in front of all the kids. It also helps that I've played in so many different groups growing up. I've played in various ensembles from Hickory to Greensboro to Rutherford. As a section leader or concert master I've had to stand up and teach entire sections or groups multiple times. I really see these experiences starting to help when I'm in a school setting with fresh faces. I'm able to explain to them what they are doing or need to do in order to achieve a certain style or technique.

While I was there at my old school I hung around one of my friends who is currently working there and just finished student teaching here at the university. He really got my hopes up when he told me that real life teaching is very different than student teaching. A lot less stress and writing, with a lot more teaching and actually doing the thing. They said that they can actually sleep now, which is nice. They also don't have to worry as much about lesson plans being at a certain level or format. I was happy the help this past week and I look forward to going back and seeing how the students have progressed.