First Day of Student Teaching

About a month ago, I witnessed the excitement of a first day student teacher.  I noticed a mix of unparalleled enthusiasm and low key anxiety of what was to come. You remember that day, don’t you?  The world was at your fingertips. 

 

I remember the first day of my student teaching.  I arrived early that Monday morning to make copies and make sure I had everything ready.  No one was in the copy room when I got there.  I started making front to back copies (stapled) of guided notes.  I had both chapter 17 and chapter 18 to copy.  Back in 2002, our copy machine was not the best.  It kept jamming.  Other teachers started filing in to make their copies for the day.  I started sweating.  It kept jamming.  Finally, I realized I had enough copies for the morning classes – I would come back down during my lunch to make copies for the afternoon.

 

Ten minutes later I introduce myself to the first period students and pass out the guided notes.  “We are going to begin with chapter 17 today,” I tell my students (wow, sounds exciting doesn’t it!?!).  Well, when I get about half-way through passing them out a student raises his hand.  My first thought is, what can you possibly have a question about already!?! 

 

“Uh, Mr. Keenan, these are the handouts for chapter 18,” said the student.

 

“Oh crap,” went through my mind.

 

I went over to the desk to grab the chapter 17 notes whereupon I realized that I did not make those copies.  I messed up.  I looked over at my cooperating teacher and asked if he would stay with the students while I go make the correct copies.  He said no.  He said he will go make the copies, but I had to stay with the kids.

 

Luckily I made a bulletin board that weekend (remember those?).  It had photos of the people that we would be learning about.  I stumbled my way through previewing the chapter by using the photos. 

 

I remember thinking I would never get a job now.  That was the worst mistake I would ever make.

 

Well, I have come a long way since then.  I have made a ton more, and worse, mistakes than that.  But more importantly, I have grown as an educator.  I am grateful to my work ethic for causing me to persevere in challenging times and my many mentors for providing feedback and guiding the way for me.