Reflection on my Reflections.

        When I started this blog roughly two years ago, it was going to be primarily a blog about my journey from mild mannered whatever I was doing, to becoming a teacher. As I doubted that I was going to become a teacher, and I was unsure about my future, the blog became a little bit more about me - science fiction (I still have a Doctor Who post waiting in the wings for me to unleash on you all), books, Nicolas Cage, writing, and whatever I really felt like posting. Then I had a really bad experience with a job - probably one of the worst experience I dealt with - and I realized that yes, I did want to be a teacher. I guess as much as I dislike this particular situation, I owe them all thanks. They’re not going to get it, but I owe it to them.

Yes, for a little bit during my education process, I doubted that I wanted to even be a teacher. Between the horror stories about the internship, the constant reminder that I’d be working with kids all day (and the way some people said it that made it sound like I’d be working with convicted murderers all day), and the constant stream of parents, politicians, and various pundits all reminding me about how lazy I was for picking my future career, it hasn’t been easy. But sometimes, doubt creeps in, and you just need to be reminded what the right path was. 

As noted, a mere week ago I started my internship at a High School near or around the county in which I live. If you’re wondering if I’m being vague, then yes, you’re absolutely correct! There are moments I want to be specific... in fact if you want to know where I’ll be on March 1st and 2nd, that’s contained in this blog. You can probably figure out my name, and this entire thing is linked to a Facebook page. But I’m going to be somewhat vague when discussing this out on the blogo-info-whatever-sphere. 

That brings me to my next dilemma. And I’m not talking about the underrated song by Nelly and Kelly Rowland. How much of my internship do I want to discuss here, on Bad Shakespeare. I mean, up until this point this has been an education blog with occasional moments of insanity. This blog has been about me and my pursuit to become the world’s greatest teacher, or in the very least, a teacher. So, how much of the original stuff should I avoid?

Turns out the answer is: Most of it. You see, as I’m getting more and more information about just what it is I’ll be doing, I’m finding out that I’m going to have to write roughly 4 papers about my experiences a week. That’s more than I write about Bad Shakespeare, if you can’t tell. And I was wondering how much I should put down, and whether I can work on it for the blog, or whatnot... the thing is, I can’t. I want the reflections to be an honest portrayal of what I’m doing and how I’m feeling, and I don’t know that I can put all of that up here for everyone (re: future employers) to see. I mean, while I’ve had some awesome experiences, I’ve had some ones that I need to discuss and work out in my head. Nothing so terrible that I’m rethinking my future career, just little things that I don’t want to get completely out, and I don’t want to get out of hand. 

Plus, at some point, I’m going to need a break from thinking about this teaching stuff. The Student Teacher thing is an odd duck if you think about it: on the one hand I get to pay over $5000 for the honor to get to work a job I won’t get paid for and I can’t have another job to pay the rent, on the other I have to constantly think about it to the point that I had a dream where I had to go back and teach people from a previous job - people I liked - and they all made fun of me. 

Stress Dreams! Hooray!

I’ll occasionally update this blog with stories about what happened, and at some point I may even throw in one of those reflection papers if I can find one witty enough, or one that lives up to the high standards set by the Nicolas Cage referencing department of Bad Shakespeare, Inc. But we’ll have to see.

So, continue to wish me luck on my teaching. I hope to update you all soon. In the meantime, continue to read this blog, and continue to enjoy what I have cooked up for everyone!

Bring It On. The Internship. Not the Movie

As of today, I have completed my first official week as an intern! Let’s hear it for 34 year old interns! Woooo! And where am I interning: At a school, to help achieve my ultimate goal of becoming a High School English Teacher. Which granted, isn’t everyone’s goals, but it’s mine and that’s what’s important right now: me. (This is my blog. Want to make it about you? Write your own blog!)

This wasn’t always my goal, even when I was in school. For a brief period, I debated switching my program and becoming a college professor. I even got accepted into the English Program, and all it required was for me to sign on the dotted line, but after some pesky life events, I decided to continue because what I want to do is teach, and I’m tired of delaying. (Remember what we talked about on Monday? Carpe YOLO, which would have been a better title.)

Being an intern is interesting, especially at this age when I’ve been working for a good portion of my life, and I’ve been a working professional for this portion of my life. I mean, at some point you don’t think you’re going to be interning ever again, especially for zero pay and college credit. The plus side: intern-teachers aren’t expected to bring coffee and hang out while the important stuff is going on. 

I have to admit, this is one of the more scarier things I’ve done. As I’ve mentioned: I was comfortable. I was able to relax; I had a decent job that paid well, a cool office, people that I worked with were pretty cool... I really could have survived for a long time as a Government Contractor, and not had to even once deal with not having a full time job for five months. But we return to that idea of comfort.

Once again, I’m sort of posting a “signpost” for myself for me to look back upon at the end of my internship in a few months. I always think it’s interesting to look at how you feel when something starts vs. how it ends. Hopefully I’ll have a whole new perspective on things when all of this is over (I feel that if I don’t, I may have failed a little bit..) So, what do I hope to get out my student teaching internship:

1. The feeling that I made the right decision. Going back to school was a HUGE leap for me. It’s kind of blunt, particularly since I know that a few people have dropped their internships halfway, but I really hope that I making the right choice here. Look, this isn’t dipping your toe into a new career, deciding you don’t like it, then jumping out. This is a HUGE CHANGE that alters everything.
2. An appreciation of what I’m doing. I think that’s important: To truly appreciate what you do. We all have jobs but do you appreciate it? Is it what you want to do? Or are you just there for a paycheck?
3. Survival: The next few months are going to be tough. Long hours, classes, research papers. Imagine you’re in high school, and your after school job is more school. That’s what I’m going to be doing. 
4. A license. This is seriously it, people. This is what I’m going to be doing.
5. An end to the, “Is that what you want to do?” jokes. Seriously. They’re not funny anymore. I’m not in it for the money. I’m obviously in it for the mad respect I’ll get, especially from the politicians who are constantly commenting on teachers what with their vast education experience. 

I’m hoping for this to be an interesting experience. I don’t use the word “rewarding” because I kind of feel it’s overused. (Like “shaming”.) I mean, the ultimate reward is going to be finishing up. I want this to be interesting. I want this to be eye opening. I want this to go well, so I know that I can do it.

Here we go... 

Boo-ya.

I'm Enthusiastically Inexperienced

    The one thing I haven’t discussed that much in the wonderful world of class-taking in lively art of Theatre and the ever so useful topic of Folklore is why I’m taking these two classes. You see... I’m mostly done with my teaching degree. Next up on my magical mystery tour of college I have to do...

    The Internship.

    Now, there are very few programs of study for a Masters Degree (I’m getting an M.ED for anyone who’s interested in the technical terms. If you aren’t, then don’t read this sentence) that force you to quit your job, don’t work, and take this unpaid internship while you take an additional class for a few months. Now, yes, there are other options, like getting a provisional license, which is about as easy as teaching your cat to fetch and Career switcher, which won’t work too well for someone in my situation who wants to go from Government to teaching English, well... that’s not the kind of move the State licensure board is looking for. (And they don’t normally take “enthusiasm” as a substitute for “experience.). So I’m left with...

    The Internship.

    It’s kind of a scary thing. First of all to take that leap of faith to quit a steady job -- something I’ve had since I graduated from college all those years ago -- and to dive into a field that 1) Not a lot of people support and 2) with budget cuts promises that it’s not really a growth industry. But I’ve covered that.  It’s just while I talk about getting out of my comfort zone... this is OUTSIDE outside my comfort zone.

    I know I’ve done stuff in the past, but this is an established teacher giving me the reigns. It’s kind of intimidating. I’m sure I’ll do well, but this isn’t like going from one job to another. This is like going from being a contractor on the Death Star to Ewok village, only the Ewoks aren’t always so cute and cuddly. (Deadly Ewoks will be the name of my indie band.)

    Ideally, this is only about four months off. I mean, I still have to let you all know how I’m going to do on the Praxis 2. That little experience is coming up in September and merits a little blogging as I prepare for that as well. But as I get ready to gear up for this semester, which I am looking forward to, don’t get me wrong. One thing is sitting at the top of my mind, something that I need to start really considering.

    The Internship.