Teaching Teaching

Today is my first day out of the classroom. For the past month, my student teachers have observed, planned, mimicked my teaching, and taught with me in the room. We decided that they were ready to be on their own.

I've watched them this past month, planning and preparing, taking advice, becoming more comfortable in the classroom. I've given advice, critiqued lessons, and (hopefully) helped. But I've also realized there is a lot about teaching that has come naturally to me and that I have a hard time forming into words. So much of teaching is innate, the little sparks in the brain that prompt new ideas, new strategies. So, I tell them to let their personality to come through, to reflect on their lessons, to make adjustments, to try new management strategies. And I hope it's the right thing to say. Because I feel so inadequate. Who am I to teach someone to teach when I feel like I'm still fresh and new in the classroom?

But it's been good. They say they're having a good experience. They come back from weekly meetings and wonder if they're doing something wrong because all of their peers seem to be struggling and they aren't. I tell them it's because I'm awesome. I mostly say it to make myself believe. But this will be the week of struggles, with me out of the room for the first time. I know they'll do great.

As for me, sitting in the quiet media center with nothing to do, I'm going batty. I spent most of first period fighting with the Internet. Now I'm trying to summon the energy to do something productive. And resist the urge to check my classroom.

Never fear. Science fair time is just around the corner. And then I'll be going batty for different reasons. And loving every minute of it.