What It Feels Like To Be A Teacher. .
tonight's entry is going to be (mostly) dedicated to my future profession. . . so here i go!

happiness
today's lesson was a BIG iffy! i really did NOT think that things were going to go well. i mean, all i had planned (FOR SURE) was my water cycle pop-up book. other than that, everything was a blur! i was relying on my lovely teaching counterpart to do the nitrogen and carbon cycle books so therefore i was (somewhat) prepared for anything! when things didnt turn out as planned in the morning before 1st period, i became frantic. we spent the next 50 mins perfecting what we were going to do so that things would be better. when 2nd period came around, the kids actually enjoyed the pop-ups and participating as Juanita, Carlos and Nancy. (2 out of 3 AINT bad!) the best part was 3rd period TRULY enjoying my Juanita pop-up book! I thought it was great that they genuinely liked what i had done. it really made me happy

sadness
as a tutor, i've become really close to some of my students. i've started to go to my students' athletic events to see them excel and work outside of the academic setting. as of late, i've been going to soccer games. since my boys made it to the playoffs, i drove all the way out to Dripping Springs to watch them. given that i dislike driving far in the dark (because i have night blindness =X) and the rain wasnt helping, it was a big deal for me to go!! unfortunately after sitting in the cold for about an hour and a half, the boys lost to Kerrville, 3-1. seeing that one student as disappointed as he was after the game was really sad for me. granted there's not much i can do but still. . .thats what makes it worst! even a "you'll get them next year" and similar comments didnt help. . .the frustrations of just feeling that you havent done good enough. . .

i was asked by my boss today what my plans for fall 2004 were. of course i replied "im hoping to have a teaching job" i've come to realize that i really do wanna stay in austin for 2 more years, just to see the Class of 2006 graduate and then go on my merry little way back to houston. its still something to consider. . .i know if i wanted the job, all i have to do is tell someone and its pretty much mine. i guess i just have to see what houston has to offer. . .