The storm before the calm.

So it's a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Aggieland. Just spent a wonderful and relaxing weekend with my grandmother and I am so grateful to just being able to lay in my bed and have the time to actually be writing this blog. Last week was so stressful so let me share how the intense week went and how I was able to overcome the storm of events that occurred.

Well let me describe my state of mind this time last week: physically and mentally exhausted, stressed, frustrated, anxious, yet hopeful. It was a busy Sunday filled with lots of studying, lots of reading, lots of lesson planning preparation, and lots of stress. Things jotted down in my planner for the week consisted of math homework, a draft of a major research paper, two math tests [let me emphasize the math tests here], two lesson plans, tutoring at an elementary school, and lots of networking for Jeff's SBP campaign. Yikes! That just made me feel tired just writing all of that.

So then we had Monday...fortunately I don't have any classes so I really had all day to read, study, and do my lesson plan prep. It was also Valentines day--great. And when I great I don't necessarily mean that in a bad way for once...haha. Although it is my least favorite holidays it worked to my advantage this year in the sense that every picture and status update on facebook was in regards to Valentines day, which is great because it kept me facebook distraction-free for the day. So, I ended up being quite productive that day.

Then we had Tuesday. Big day. Not only did I have to create two lesson plans, but I was also teaching
 them...all on my own. I was given the big task the previous week and so I was nervous yet excited to be teaching and preparing a lesson and activity. So I show up to class and first I taught my mini lesson plan during TAKS tutorials. Not a big deal, breezed my way through the atoms and molecules lesson with no problems. Then the dismissal bell rang. Gulp. 2nd period. I then began gathering all my note cards and outline I started to get anxious so I started concentrating on deep breathing to calm my nerves. [Thank. You. Yoga.] Tardy bell rang and the students took their seats and my mentor teacher gave a brief chat about how I would be teaching and then she took her place at her desk as if she was not there. So then I began. Lecturing, writing, discussing, demonstrating, answering questions, asking questions. I-LOVED-IT. The nerves continued to dissipate and I more at ease at the class rolled on. Then it was time for the activity, the lesson was over the exchange of energy between organisms so what better way then to have them make a food chain/food web. The lesson went much better than expected and my mentor teacher complimented my notes and method of teaching. I absolutely loved it and felt so rewarded. Best part, I had fun. So much fun, it just makes me more excited to look forward to my career. Wish I could say the day was done but it was just the begining. I still had three classes including a math test to take that day. Ugh.

Then we had Wednesday. More studying. One more math test to take. And drafting for my research paper. My brain is slowly starting to feel overwhelmed and comatose is soon to begin.

Then we had Thursday. Starting to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. By this time I had finished my draft, studied til I was reciting math proofs in my sleep, and I was just praying I'd make it to Friday. Went to my classes, I took my other math test, turned in my draft and I was still breathing at the end of the day. Although at this point my brain was practically on life support. However by the evening my grandmother was in town and it was so nice to have that happy lady with her warming smile there to greet me, and take me to dinner.


Then there was Friday. Ah, friday. Best day of the week. It included yoga, olive garden, laughter, and retail therapy. Much needed and so blessed.

 The rest of this weekend has been pretty relaxing. Spending quality time with my grandmother, getting things ready for campaign week and working along side with the best candidate and campaign team. One thing I am missing is Will. I miss him so much. Last week was my busy week and this upcoming week is his. Just looking forward to next weekend already so I can finally spend some overdue time with him.

And so what made me get through this week sane? Prayer. Constantly seeking Christ with my whole heart. [Jeremiah 29:13] Trust. Confidence. Pandora. Laughter. Hope. And Coffee. Lots of Coffee.

Right where I need to be

So I started my field experience observation today. [Well since it's technically Wednesday I guess you can say yesterday] It was very interesting to say the least. I've never had classroom experience with 6th, 7th, and 8th graders so I went in not knowing what to expect so I was quite nervous since my specialization is in middle grades after all. And yes, I did say 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. In fact, I must mention the "school", when I drove up to the "school" the only sign saw read Snook Independent School District. And it was the entire school district indeed, it included the administration building, elementary, middle, AND high school all in one building! I had never seen anything like it in my life. Snook's secondary school is a 1-A school and coming from a 5-A high school, I could not believe that grades K-12 were all in the same place. Thus, the science teacher that is my mentor this semester is the solitary middle school science teacher. [WOAH]

So in the mornings I'm there from 8:00-11:00 a.m. which includes 1st period (consisting of 8th grade girls), 2nd period (6th grade boys and girls) and 3rd period (7th grade boys, oh dear). At first I was a little overwhelmed, after observing my first two periods I was like ooohh my Ashley, what the heck are you getting yourself into. I mean, I knew the pre-teen/teenage years were rough but I didn't exactly realize the true handful they are. Although, I am the type of person who always likes a challenge. So during the tutorials period, (TAKS tutoring session between 2nd and 3rd period) my challenge threshold was certainly tested. Three 8th grade boys came in the room for science TAKS tutoring, at first they were acting sly and cool [attempted to at least] and weren't showing much interest or care to be there. I took a deep breath and told myself you can do this. [Phil 4:13] I worked with them, taught them strategies, and pushed them until they were thinking on their own and after they stopped the acting dumb part...it was amazing to see the prior knowledge and potential they each had. Then I realized, this is why I am here and I'm right where I need to be. All the discouragement I had felt at the beginning completely dissolved. If I felt so rewarded by just tutoring TAKS for 30 minutes...I can only imagine the feeling that will come being in a classroom of my own all day.

"Treat [students] as they are what they ought to be, and you help them become what they are capable of becoming." -Goethe