Reflecting

Currently, I am working with 6-8th grade students. Ideally, this is not the age level I desire teaching at. I am working on my degree in elementary education and would like to work in those crucial primary years. But this year has taught me a lot of things. Things I wouldn't have learned had I not taken this position and persisted, despite how frustrating it can be. The thing is, this position does not even really require me to teach. I'm more of a proctor-facilitator than anything. Lately, I've been referring to myself as a "half-teacher". My position requires me to do everything a teacher would do, without having any sort of control of the content, or grades. I assist students in whatever manner they need me. It helps that I understand what they are working on since it is a language course that is in my native language.

I've never been one to complain about my job, so don't take this entry as such! I've just recently come to the conclusions that life throws you in situations that perhaps are not ideal to you, at the moment. Inevitably, it turns out that life had a plan for me all along. Months later, I can honestly say I've gotten a lot of tougher. I've gotten more comfortable with admitting my errors and faults, and finding ways to fix it in order to provide the students I work with, a better learning environment. I've also learned to work with students from very different backgrounds then mine and in a manner, I've found that this will improve my people skills in the longer run.

A person should never stop learning, no matter how old they get and this position has definitely been a learning experience for me. This week, I guess I just wanted to get that off my chest. I'm very grateful despite the stress level I have been under lately. I don't think I would have it any other way.