Spring Break!

Well folks, I made it to Spring Break. I realize how much more teachers look forward to Spring Break than the students do:) This last week was a good one but a tough one at times. I am teaching 3 classes a day, and I am starting to feel like I know the students a bit more and the routine is starting to set in which is a good thing. Each day I am learning things and having new experiences which I guess is what practicum is supposed to be about. Of course there are some students that drive me crazy and make me wonder why I am in the profession, but on a whole, the kids are good and the teachers are very encouraging. I had my first official observation with my faculty supervisor and he had only positive things to say about my class. That was a relief. Not that I think my teaching is bad, but it's always nice to have someone say good things about you:)

I drove home last night to start my spring break. I took the more scenic route and it was quite beautiful. There were hills and turns in the road! A difference from the usual route on the trans-Canada #1 highway.

So far my weekend has been relaxing which is nice. I am heading to Thunder Bay on Monday to visit some camp friends. I am really looking forward to the time out East. I hope to get some knitting done and we'll probably create something tasty to eat. Speaking of tasty things, I am planning on making pasta tonite with a nice garlic cream sauce. I really love making great meals from scratch. There's something satisfying about knowing you made every part of your meal and that you could survive without pre-packaged foods from the store if you had to.

Well that's probably enough random rambling for now. I'll let you know how the trip to TBAY goes, maybe I'll see a moose or something fun like that!

Flashback

I just finished eating a delicious Ethiopian Supper, with freshly roasted coffee as dessert. IT was so fantastic. I felt like I had been transported temporarily back to Addis except for the piles of snow outside the windows and the fact that I could speak to the waiters in English. The food was wonderful and when I told the cook (who had come to see how I was enjoying my meal), that I had lived in Addis for a short time she insisted on bringing me some other dishes to sample and making some coffee for me. Making coffee in Ethiopia is a more involved process than in Canada. She roasted the beans, brought them out and let me smell that and then went and brewed a jebna full ( a special pot to make the coffee in). IT come out on a little tray, with the little cups and a BIG bowl of sugar. If you did not know, Ethiopians like to drink their coffee black with LOADS of sugar (at least when they drink it during a coffee ceremony). The taste of the coffee was just like I remembered it when I was over in Ethiopia. SO all that being said, it was a lovely way to start the weekend after a long week.

I came into Winnipeg for the weekend for a change of pace. I still have a bunch of planning and prep to do, but at least I can have some fun when I am not planning. I am staying with Julia which is always a good time, we never run out of things to talk about and do together.

SO, a summary of the week....

By the end of the week (actually the last two days), I was teaching for 3 of my 4 class periods. I didnt feel like they were all stellar classes, but we got through them and so far I have received positive feedback from my co-operating teachers. Next week my faculty supervisor will be coming for his first formal evaluation and one of my teachers will also be doing a formal observation of one of my lessons. With teaching almost full time, I seem to have plenty to do all the time. But that was to be expected so its not really surprising. My one class of grade 9s are giving me a run for my money but I dont feel too bad about it because they are pretty crazy for their regular teacher too. I am hoping that by time I am finished they will be a little more under control but who knows.

Thats about all that I know. Hope your weekend allows for some fun, and relaxation.

Till later.

The First Week

As promised, here is a recap of my first week in this final teaching practicum....

-the staff is super friendly and helpful. Easy to get along with and so willing to help me with whatever and make sure that my time is as good as possible. I feel like I am welcomed and lunch times in the staff room are always fun, with lots of laughing which is a welcomed break.
-I've started making some connections with students and interacting a bit more with them. My German is still negligible, but you can still tell which students are the trouble makers, which ones are shy and which ones are talking when they should be working:) or listening
-There are several cultural differences that stand out, but most are not really an issue, just something different to get used to
-I haven't watched tv in over a week-and I'm surviving just fine:0
-I had a tour of all the vocational sites that students can go to as GVC students, so today was a field trip PD day. I visited Morris, Altona, Morden and the GVC sites in Winkler.
-I've had supper out one night with a camp friend which was lovely and a break from the constant noise at the house I am living in:)
-The sun was shining today and I got to go for a lovely jog and hear the birds singing.

So overall, things are going quite well. I start teaching on Monday, but only 2/4 classes. Wednesday I add a 3rd and I won't start my 4th class until after Spring Break which is just fine with me. My two EAL classes are going to be a challenge, but that's a good thing I think.

I know the rest of this month is going to fly by with all the school stuff going on. Tuesday is a spirit day (st. paddy's) and then we have early dismissal for parent teacher interviews, and the list goes on. Before I know it, Spring break will arrive and I'll be off for a little visit with friends in the East:) (you know who you are!)

My social life is definitely not be taxed in this practicum, but that means I have no excuse for not getting my planning and marking done. And that really is the plan for my weekend. Some relaxation, reading and enjoying of the outdoors but a good chunk of tomorrow will be spent working on school stuff, I really want to have everything planned out for the week so that I can be working ahead during the week and hopefully take off next weekend for Winnipeg (or home to switch cars-a long story that is best told in person).

Anyways, it's all of 8:45 on a Friday night and I am exhausted. Right now all I want to do is lay down, and watch a movie or read a book. SO I think that's what I'm going to do. Leave school until tomorrow and get some rest. It's Lame I know, but hey it's my life!

Day 1 is Finished

Hey Friends. SO I survived day 1 at GVC. I am pooped and I didn't even do any teaching, but that's to be expected as I get back into what a real work day feels like:) But seriously, my 3 co-operating teachers are friendly and seem pretty helpful, so that is definitely reassuring. I only have to start teaching 2 of my classes for sure on Monday and the other one likely some time next week. My fourth class will probably not start under my control until my 3rd week. Hopefully this will be manageable. My two EAL math and science classes are going to be a handful. There are many traditional mennonites (mainly German speaking) in the school, so the visual culture cues are quite different from my experiences in my other placements. I'm sure it will go alright. I have to get started on some more serious planning, so I'll fill you in at the end of the first week and let you know how things are settling in.

Till later

Welcome to Winkler

Hey Friends.

SO I just moved into my new home for the next 2 months. Winkler, Manitoba. That's right folks! I'm doing my final practicum at the school here, and it will be interesting I'm sure. THe move was pretty uneventful, and I even got a lovely little stop-over in Winnipeg to spend some time with good friends and family.

I watched the movie "Rachel Getting Married" last night, and it was alright. I was expecting more comedy, when really the movie was a drama. There was a lot of character development and some open-ended parts of the storyline. Anne Hathaway played in it, and it was definitely a more intense, dramatic role than what she usually plays. but she did it well. I would recommend the movie if you're looking for something that's relatively deep and dramatic.

Anyways, I need to go and help out with supper (at my new house:0

I'll let you all know how the first day goes tomorrow!

Till later folks.

Hair Cut-With New Pictures

Today I got a little trim and a colour touch-up...for those who care, here's a few photos. Nothing drastic just helping me convince the students that I really am a professional teacher:)

My mom and I were having a bit of fun with her macbook. Hence the double images of me:) I thought it was kind of fun.

The Last Day

Today is my last day of class (as a student) perhaps forever! I still have an exam tomorrow, but officially this is the last day of 'class'. I have mixed emotions. Part of me is so excited, but part of me is kind of sad too. Saying good bye to friends that I may never see again, and just a farewell until later for others. That's all I have to say, but I wanted to make a post on this momentous day.

The other plus is the sun is shining and it's 'warm' in Branond (-10 C)!

Have a good day folks.