Today is my last day student teaching 6th grade. I have so many mixed emotions. I am going to miss my students. I am going to miss the mentor teachers and staff at the school. I am going to miss seeing those “Ah Ha!” moments from the students. What I won’t miss are the long hours in the car, grading papers, saying, “I’ll wait,” and the morning staff meetings. 6th grade is such an awesome and awkward time in a young person’s life. I am so blessed that I got to be a part of it for my students. I will never forget them. They will always be my students.

I had such a great experience with these students and mentor teachers. They have taught me SO much! I cannot thank them enough. They have influenced my teaching philosophy and have helped me become more open-minded. Because of them I know what kind of educator I am meant to be.

So another chapter of my life is coming to a close. Next semester I will be student teaching 1st grade. Oh what an experience that will be! I am nervous excited about this new opportunity, but am confident and know that I am prepared for it.

Next thing I know that experience will be over and it will be time for me to graduate in May!! Some days I think that day can’t come soon enough, while other days I don’t want it to come. I don’t want to have to venture out into “The Real World” yet, but I know that when that day comes I will be ready. I’ll be ready to walk through that new door.