Go Sharks!
This afternoon I met with JP, the principal of the elementary school I'm probably going to intern at this upcoming school year. He talked to me about the special education programs and suggested one that might be of interest to me as I fulfill my student-teaching. I was glad he suggested an upper elementary classroom. Basically, I'll be working in a home school model which contains 4th and 5th grade students with severe learning disabilities in reading, mathematics, and writing and some of them also have speech problems. My cooperating teacher, CS, seems interesting. I got an email from her this evening and she indicated that she is looking forward to working with me and thinks we will have a good time. My favorite part of her email indicated in big capital letters that "Any research, ideas, activities, will be appreciated." And towards the end of her email, she reiterates that "any contribution is appreciated." Before closing it, she indicated also that she likes happy hours. Hmmm...
Anyway, that being said, I'm already feeling a little more at ease with this whole thing. My chest was still tight after leaving SES, even though I felt okay in general. I guess that's just the nerves working inside of me. At first, JP told me to initiate contact with CS but she did it before I worked up my nerve to. So that lessens the anxiety and tension a little. I still think I will give her a call and see if she would like to meet up some time for happy hour/dinner so we can learn more about each other and what we hope to accomplish this year. Happy hours are generally not my thing (sitting at a bar and drinking is not my usual cup of tea), but I guess if I want to make a good impression on her, I will learn to step outside my comfort zone and go to happy hours every now and then so we can collaborate. In fact, I may even ask her if she's interested in doing one before the school year starts. That may be a good idea. Either way, I am super excited about this new placement! It's a new beginning and as I have said in my subject line, go Sharks! Now I really just have to get confirmation from Hopkins that this is an appropriate placement . But I don't see why it wouldn't be :)
Anyway, that being said, I'm already feeling a little more at ease with this whole thing. My chest was still tight after leaving SES, even though I felt okay in general. I guess that's just the nerves working inside of me. At first, JP told me to initiate contact with CS but she did it before I worked up my nerve to. So that lessens the anxiety and tension a little. I still think I will give her a call and see if she would like to meet up some time for happy hour/dinner so we can learn more about each other and what we hope to accomplish this year. Happy hours are generally not my thing (sitting at a bar and drinking is not my usual cup of tea), but I guess if I want to make a good impression on her, I will learn to step outside my comfort zone and go to happy hours every now and then so we can collaborate. In fact, I may even ask her if she's interested in doing one before the school year starts. That may be a good idea. Either way, I am super excited about this new placement! It's a new beginning and as I have said in my subject line, go Sharks! Now I really just have to get confirmation from Hopkins that this is an appropriate placement . But I don't see why it wouldn't be :)