The Letter Has Arrived

The day was December 19, 2009. I anxiously awaited for the mail to arrive. On Facebook, girls were announcing that they had received their placement letters. My mail lady wouldn't arrive at my house until 3 p.m. How could I wait until then? I was ready to know, and a little jealous that others knew and I did not. It was a long day until 3 p.m. Finally 3 o'clock came; my husband went to check the mail and brought me my letter. I could not wait to open it! I slowly peeled the envelope's flap open. Inside were 3 pieces of paper. One page had the dates for each of my placements, one page had dates for seminars that I will be required to attend during my placements, and one page had the placements on them.

I read the letters. I found out that I will be teaching at two different schools. My lower-level placement will be first on the agenda. I will be teaching 1st grade at Hatton Elementary School. I have never been there, but it has been described to me as a little piece of heaven! Now if that isn't inviting, I don't know what is! My second placement is going to be in the 4th grade at Forest Hills. Even though I do not know a soul at Forest Hills Elementary, I am quite excited about this placement. Fourth grade is my favorite. I can't believe I will be living my dream of being a 4th grade teacher (if only for a few weeks). Fourth grade has always been my favorite. Mostly because my 4th grade teacher was my favorite. Her name was Mrs. Shelley. Everyone wanted to be in Mrs. Shelley's class, because she was the best! I have a little boy, who is in the 4th grade, also. That is good for me, because I know what 4th graders are capable of doing. This should help me prepare lessons for them.

I am so excited that all of my hard work is starting to pay off. I have come a long way from the beginning of my college career. I have worked diligently to be the best student that I can be. I have made the Dean's List every semester and am a member of three different honor societies. Excellence in education is very important to me. I hope that I instill that in my students. I found a quote that says,

"A teacher's purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students
who can create their own image."

That is what I would like to do. My goal is to help students reach their full potential, to teach students and help them learn by having high expectations, and to learn to work with other teachers in order to learn from them as well.

This should be an interesting journey. I hope the trek proves bountiful. I can't wait to see where my path leads. I wonder where I will be in 6 months or a year, especially at the start of the next school year. Will others be able to see something special in me that makes them want to give me a job? Will I just be lost in the sea of teachers searching for a school to join? I guess, we'll see!