It's been a few weeks now (6 weeks and 1 day to be exact). Sadly, it has gotten a little easier to be away from Max. I still hate it, but I've been dealing with it more easily because I have to. I just keep telling myself that after this, I get to be with him all day every day again.
On a more positive note, I have been learning so much. My cooperating teacher is simply amazing. Not only is she an amazing teacher, but she is just a wonderful cooperating teacher and person as well. I've heard horror stories about some cooperating teachers, but I only have wonderful things to say about mine. From day one, she had me teaching. Usually a student teacher has 2 weeks to just observe and then is slowly integrated into teaching. Not me! :) I have to say that at first, I was really overwhelmed/nervous/stressed. However, I think it has paid off.
Even though I don't plan on teaching for another 10 years or so, I know that I will still take much of what I am learning with me into the classroom when the time comes. I believe I was meant to be paired up with my cooperating teacher so I feel really blessed. She gives me a ton of feedback and seems to know just how to make me feel better when I'm having a bad teaching day. I don't know if I could make it with another teacher. The kids have also made this experience easier. They are so sweet and so fun! Third graders have got to be the best. College classes definitely do not prepare you for teaching. Teaching prepares you for teaching (if that makes sense).
I hate to say it because I'm not a quitter, but I just might have given up by now. This has by far been the most stressful period of my life. There's not very many things that I can think of that I decided to quit (besides natural child birth), but I was SO close to quitting this. Encouragement and support from all of my friends and family have played a huge role in helping me get through this. So, thank you.
Now I only have 5 weeks left. 5 weeks! 5 weeks and I've reached my goal.
