New experiences, new city, new university, new program, new house, new friends. Most of my life has become new in the month of September, and I couldn't be happier with it.
I was super skeptical about starting a new life in southern Alberta, mostly because I'm not a fan of change. I wanted to keep an open mind about everything, but there was always that little thought in the back of my mind bringing up 'What if' moments. I was looking forward to going back to Calgary every weekend, and now... I wish I could stay in Lethbridge on weekends.
PS1 has been mind blowing so far.
Let's talk about the professors in Education. They are unreal. These profs are always willing to lend a hand, and you can tell that they are genuinely there for each and every one of their students. They make going to class fun, they keep you engaged. They are role models, constantly teaching us how to be better teachers with various classroom management strategies and "what to do, what not to do"'s. You can tell they really want us to succeed. I think it's rare to find professors like that at a university level. I have so many friends in university that tell me they've never even talked to their prof, or they're just a number in a class of 200. I feel so lucky to be a part of a faculty that creates a community among the administration, professors and students. I think its phenomenal that this kind of comradery can be seen after 2 weeks of class.
Let's talk about my classmates, my new friends.
These people are ridiculously awesome. They made the classroom so comfortable to be in during the first week of school. I'm not afraid to show my true self, ask questions or voice my opinion. They make group work fun to do, and participation easy. We all appreciate and accept each others differences. I have no idea where anything is on campus, or in the city and they're always willing to help me out and tell me where to go! I hope that the friendships I create in PS1 can grow into friendships that last for a very, very long time.
The Education program, or rather PS1, has been exhilarating, yet overwhelming. Having to pack everything into 8 weeks of class creates an overwhelming homework schedule. Yet, in the first two weeks I have already learnt so much! I've learnt about teaching and strategies to use in the classroom; As teachers we are always learning; I've learnt how students learn with NEDs GR8 8 prinicples; I've learnt how to incorporate technology in the classroom and make it engaging, not boring; How to incorporate both formative and summative assessment into my teaching and lesson planning; How language develops in children and the curriculum and how to properly use it as a teacher. It's only been 2 weeks! I still have 2.5 years of school left! There is still SO much to learn about being a teacher. Actually, more than 2.5 years, I have my whole life left to keep learning, because as teachers we ALWAYS have to be learning and keeping up with the newest information and content.
I was very skeptical to start this new chapter in my book called life, and now I'm looking back to a month ago, laughing and wondering what I was so worried about. I couldn't be more excited to keep writing this chapter.
Shout-out to the professors and classmates in Section GHI!
Peace, Love and Lesson Plans!