Kind of fun to read my last couple posts about teaching. With one year under my belt, I feel much more confident about my classes (even though they still continue to change often) and the testing I will be starting up next month again. I am no where near an expert at this ESL stuff, especially in the public school arena, but this year has made me realize I know what I am talking about and have some good ideas once in awhile.
Today I was so happy when the teacher of my lowest two fourth graders came up to me and shared that those students are using the new method for decoding words words I have taught them, and its helping. I have recently seen them finally understand and get excited about being able to "divide" new words they encounter after many weeks of reviewing the same thing. Its these little moments of realizing I am making a difference, be it oh so little, that make me happy and keep encouraging me even through the frustrating times.
One of my grad school classes has also been very fun and enjoyable this semester also. Its about language and culture, so of course, I am in my element and loving every minute of it. I am also realizing how many different cultures I have been fortunate enough to experience and how that has shaped me. For this class I have to write a cultural autobiography, and I am actually excited about completing this assignment.
Thats all for now. We will see if this keeps up, and if I continue to write updates here. I do enjoy being able to reread this online journal of sorts, and who knows, maybe someone else is also actually reading it too.
