Still around!

Hello,

I apologize for being so late in my posting.  It's already Thursday and this is my first post this week!  Let's hope it's not a trend.  Regardless, I have been crazy busy this week and that has prevented me from updating. 

Monday night
I had some things due for my seminar on Tuesday that kept me occupied on Monday night.  I started work on my edTPA (I'll post more about this later- essentially it's my big project of the semester.)   I also updated a copy of my educational philosophy and developed a "Community Action Plan" that will help me get to know the community where my students live.  I think that it will be valuable in the end, but thinking about adding visits to a community center, after-school sports, and PTO meetings to my already busy calendar is keeping me up at night!

Tuesday night 
On Tuesday night, I went out to dinner at the Melting Pot to celebrate a good friend's 23rd birthday.  I knew I needed to write a lesson plan this week to turn into my supervisor for my first observation on Thursday, and I was able to get the format typed up before I left.  We met at 7:30pm and I didn't walk out the door until 10:30pm.  While we had a great time, I was absolutely exhausted!  I hammered out the lesson plan, e-mailed it to my supervisor, and was in bed over an hour later than my usual time.  

Wednesday night 
My plan for Wednesday night was to work on my edTPA and prepare for my lesson on Thursday.  Even though I have been teaching these kids since day one, it feels different to be observed!  I wanted time to think through things and feel more confident in my plan.  However, I got an email late last week that the School of Education Honors Banquet was taking place that night.  I was selected by my science methods teacher from last spring to receive a science teacher's scholarship from a generous benefactor.  I was told that she and her husband would be in attendance, so I asked to leave my work at the daycare early to be on campus for dinner at 6:30pm.  While they ended up being unable to come, I was glad that I made the time to go.  It's amazing to hear the stories of alums who give back so generously!  I felt very, very blessed to be a Badger last night.

Thursday night 
Well, tonight was comprised of typing up a lesson plan reflection from my lesson today and continuing to work on my edTPA.  The lesson went okay, but there is certainly room for improvement.  I am looking forward to planning another lesson (one that didn't come out of a specific math curriculum) to teach later on in the semester.  Also, lead teaching is just around the corner.  It's already October!  How did that happen?!  I looked at some sample TPA's tonight and I feel more comfortable with my plan.  I did some more brainstorming tonight and will continue to write about it through this weekend. 

Friday night plans?
The most important thing on my schedule is spending some time skyping my best friend who is currently attending optometry school in San Antonio.  I've never had a glass of wine with someone over skype, but that certainly sounds like a relaxing way to end my week.

Hope you are well!
Ms. T