Getting Closer to the End

This program has been a fantastic experience. I have stayed so busy teaching, writing lesson plans and working on my thesis, but the experience has been worth it. I am always going to remember the school, my class, and all the friends I met here.
It was my birthday two days ago and my mentor teacher made me a cake. Later that night, all of the other interns surprised me when I walked downstairs to see them all standing in the kitchen with cards and more cake. It's good to be here with a close group that cares about you and wants to have fun together.
Well, I'm graduating in less than a month, and who knows what the future will bring? Maybe I'll be back in Florida someday.

Disney World

Last weekend was busy, busy, busy! All of us interns got a visit from Fred and Holly Finks, Mr. Hendershott, and Dr. Rycik. They saw our school, stopped in each of our classrooms, and met the kiddos. It was really great! Later that night we all attended an alumni event at the Celebration Hotel. It was a really great venue and the conversation was great. I met many interesting people.

The next day, we all woke up early and headed to Disney World. I had a great time and it was a beautiful day. We managed to visit Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios in the 14 hours that we were there (yes, our feet hurt and the end of the night, but it was worth it). I can now say that I rode the most intense rides at Disney World! Tiffany and Alicia made great riding buddies.

I'm loving my class more and more everyday and I am so thankful for this great opportunity! :)

Student Teaching so Far...

Celebration has been wonderful so far! I'm really getting to know my class and my mentor teacher. Being in a classroom all day from Monday to Friday is really making me feel like a teacher! It has been a great week! I went to Magic Kingdom on Saturday, THE PACKERS WON THE SUPERBOWL on Sunday, and I went to an Orlando magic game on Tuesday. On most week nights I stay busy writing lesson plans or working on my thesis.

Orientation

Today we met with Ken Youngman and our adviser, Janice Welch. We went over some paperwork together and expectations for lesson plans. I arrived an hour early to meet my mentor teacher and was surprised to see that the school doesn't really have any hallways. In order to get from classroom to classroom, you have to walk outside. The path is covered by a roof, but it is still something so unique to me.

I will be teaching kindergarten and the theme of the classroom this year is castles. I got along with my mentor teacher right away and I brought home a ton of materials to use to plan my lessons. I'll definitely have a busy night!

I'm enjoying Celebration so far and I've gotten along with my host family very well. There is a girl living with me who works at Disney and we have become fast friends.

Em