What A Time To Be Alive

And 2 years later, she's back!

I am so glad to be blogging again. I have had so many experiences in the field of education, and I am confident in my ability to share content about initiatives I have created and things I have learned. I've been gone for so long, so I will just start from now and work backwards.

I am having the time of my life because I am TEACHING IN ISTANBUL...well, student teaching. Let me explain. I am almost DONE being an education major at Georgia State University #classof2015!! After I finished my prerequisite courses and was admitted into the College of Education and Human Development, I began a grueling 40+ hour a week teacher prep schedule. Every Monday and Tuesday, I would take classes from 9 am- 6:45 pm. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, I would prepare and teach lessons for a specific class. On Wednesdays I would teach from 7 am-4 pm. On Thursdays I would do the same thing, and then go to class until 6:45. Each semester, I spent 8 weeks with one grade. By the time I graduate next month, I will have had experience teaching pre-K, kindergarten, first grade, third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade. Because I graduate with an ESOL endorsement, I have also taught ESOL students from grades K-5. I am so proud of what I have accomplished in the last 3 semesters, but this semester has been the most challenging/rewarding yet.

Dorky grad pictures that I need to retake

This semester has included zero classes and my every waking moment is dedicated to student teaching. I have had the opportunity to work with fifth graders, in both a charter school setting and in a public school. Sometimes I would be the last person on the 5th grade team in the building. I loved preparing lessons and collaborating with seasoned educators. It was just awesome. I have loved everything about student teaching except the not getting paid to be in a classroom Monday-Friday, but who needs money anyway? Being in the classroom full-time has definitely affirmed that this career is for me. I have so much to learn, but I am a much better teacher than I was in January 2014.

A quick snap in my classroom. Can you believe this shirt from 6th grade still fits?

As if student teaching wasn't already a full time job, I also took on the task of coaching a middle school cheerleading team with my friend Chelsea. Both of us attended this school, so it was a great way to give back to a place that gave so much to us. Literally, it is so much fun spending 4 hours a week with 20+ preteens! I can see myself in them, and I can't wait to see where they will go in life. Look how cute and talented they are. I have also taken the GACE, submitted my EdTPA, and applied for a teaching position through Fulbright.

Now for ISTANBULLLL! Ok, so remember when I told you that I will have an ESOL endorsement upon graduating? Well in order to get that endorsement, I need a certain amount of hours in the field. I've already accumulated about a month's worth of experience back in Atlanta, and I was presented with the opportunity to complete my student teaching in an ESOL setting in a different country. I could choose from China, Spain, Switzerland, South Korea, and Turkey. All great countries, but I've always wanted to visit the Middle East, so I WERKED and finessed to get to Istanbul. I'll explain in another blog how I came the ISTANBUL for free ninety-nine.

I am currently working with kindergarten, which is totally out of my comfort zone. I am much better with kids in 4th and 5th grades. Even still, I am learning so much about international and multicultural education. Since I love teaching older kids so much, I am piloting a pen pal program between the fifth graders back home in Atlanta and here in Istanbul. I will record that process as well.  I have failed at taking pictures of myself, so this is all I've got.

I miss Chick-fil-A, my cheerleaders, and hearing Future's music every 3 songs, but Istanbul is popping. Couldn't ask for a better time! I will be blogging every Wednesday, so look forward about more updates about Istanbul, teaching, and graduation! Between Wednesdays, be sure to follow me on Snapchat for hourly updates at "joyluster3".