To the future Mrs. Hart,
For those who have never heard the song by Brad Paisley, I encourage you to give it a listen. A man decided to write a letter to himself saying what he would and would not have change had he knew. This is kind of how I feel now. For all of the student teachers who will be reading this in the future to get a feel for what is in store, I hope your path is less rocky and filled with less sorrow. This is a catch 22 however. As much as I have endured during this process, those who know the whole story of 4-25-12, know that my journey has been filled with situations that I would hope no teacher would ever have to go through and yet without these experiences I would not have become who I am now.
To my past self who will be looking forward at this, I ask you to not forget why you want to become a teacher and why through all the drama and chaos you have a passion for teaching middle school. You will learn that is takes a special kind of person to take on the challenge of being compassionate, empathic, engaging, and positive through each day. Only someone like you will be able to see the best that a student can be through all of the bulls**t, and you will come to know what it takes to keep their light shining or know how to help turn it back on. You will have battles along the way that will make you fell defeated and like all hope is lost, but hold on. Keeping thinking that tomorrow is a new day with a fresh new outlook on how to improve.
Remember there is no such thing as being perfect. You must strive to always be a better person, friend, colleague, and educator. Your students do not need perfection they need YOU! Goofy, encouraging, crazy at times YOU. The way you will learn to relate to students and how to be on their level is what will make you so successful. Keep being you and DON'T ever change.
You will find that everyone around thinks you are insane for taking on the projects you do. Most of the time you are successful in accomplishing what you set out to do, but procrastination will bite you in the behind. So be forewarned, pace yourself.
Being at the school you will be placed at for your middle school observations and all of your student teaching will help you tremendously in shaping your teaching strategies. You will encounter cooperating teachers and other staff that will make an everlasting impact on you. Not only will they be there for you as mentors, but they will become some of your closest friends that will forever touch your heart. These people you meet, especially your principal, will have your best interest in mind. They will go above and beyond to showcase your assets as an educator to potential employers. (Even though they secretly want you to stay at their school)
Things in the job market look up in April. You will be blindsided with a job offer that you will not expect in a million years. Even though your heart will be set on staying where you are, this other offer is an opportunity of a life time that you must take.
Throughout the journey your advisors at WSU will critique you. At times it may seem harsh, like you were not meant to do this. Keep your chin up and learn from your mistakes. During your last one on one with your English advisor, you will be told that you are what future teachers should be. Your mentors and advisors were right all along; you are a TEACHER!
Sincerely,
Amy Hart (Spring 2012 End of Student Teaching)
