If someone were to quickly ask me to blurt out the best parts of my MTC experience, after saying "meeting my students" I would quickly follow-up with "the people!". I wish I had adequate words for the people that have come into my life over the past two years. I try to remember what life was like without them but I am completely bewildered when I realize that I have only known them for two years! I think that is what happens when you meet people you were always supposed to know...it's easy and natural.
Ms. Ayer, if there is anyone who has even the slightest idea of what I have experienced these past two years, it's you. I love that for the rest of my life I can always reflect on this crazy ride with you. We have taught the same students, have worked with the same staff members, and have done all of the same concession stand duties. I know that our jobs have not always been easy, but I would not have wanted any other placement if you couldn't have been my team member. Thank you for every time you have talked me down from my anxiety cliff, every time you have encouraged me, and for every time you have sent copy paper/referrals/paper towels to my classroom when I have run low. The thing I love the very most is how we have always had each others backs--that is so beautiful to me. Our students know that we are a unit and if they try to take one of us down, the other one is jumping in. I am so grateful to have been on this ride with you and I can't wait to continue this journey together in year 3!
Summer and Phoebe. The two Mississippians who have taken me in like I have always belonged here. I have spent both of my MTC Thanksgivings in Jackson at Phoebe's Grandmother's house, feeling and being treated like a member of the family. I even did a reading at Phoebe's wedding last May! Phoebe has the biggest heart and is the kindest human I think I have ever met. She is also hilarious. I am so grateful for every fit of laughter she has sent me into. Summer school and Saturday classes would have been so unbearable without her insanity. Thank you, Pheebs! I remember on the first day of summer one, when we met each other for the first time. Phoebe asked Dr. Mullins if she was going to die at her school, and we all nervously laughed and Dr, Mullins thought it was hilarious. Then, Summer stood. I remember thinking she was so beautiful and when she spoke and I heard her southern accent I thought, it's happened! I have met a true woman of the south! We eventually clicked when we were put in the same group in Dr. Monroe's summer class. We were also in the same summer school classroom. It was the easiest friendship from then on. Since then, Summer and I have fallen asleep every Saturday night at 8PM in the Oxford Holiday Inn! I am so grateful for meeting such a loving, kind, and hardworking friend who also teaches English. Summer has shared many resources with me and always has such great advice for the classroom. I think her students are SO blessed to learn from her everyday! After graduation, I will be serving as one of Summer's bridesmaids....#blessed.
Coach King...there are so many memories I have of year 1 that are devoted to the many conversations and work sessions I had with Coach King. I could reflect on the advice he gave me, or the respect he had from the many parents and community members of North Panola. I will focus instead on the most important thing that Coach King did for me because I will never forget it. Coach King modeled a truly relentless work ethic. He modeled that true leaders should be the person working the hardest in the room. He modeled drive and ambition like no one else. When I think of Coach King I think of one of my favorite lines from Our Deepest Fear, " And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same". During my first year I saw in myself a real willingness to work HARD. I stayed late always, read PD books on the weekends, and planned every night. I still work really hard and hope to always have that kind of determination to someday be a great teacher. When a lot of people were telling me to go home and take a nap, DK was that person to nudge me and say, "if you like working hard, work hard. You do YOU." I needed to hear that. One year later and I am still working hard. It's my intention to always be that way. So, to Coach King, thank you for being such a consistent role model for hard work and dedication.Thank you for giving me permission to do the same (even if you didn't realize it). .
Kristin McConnell...Kristin came into my life for many reasons, but I have always known the truest reason for why I was meant to know her. I can not begin to describe what Ms. McConnell brought to NPJHS. She brought love, sweetness, and structure to a place that was not in great shape for our students. In the midst of everything going on in our building, I could always walk by Ms. McConnell's room and see beautiful instruction. I will never forget observing her classroom and witnessing her seventh graders making inferences and predictions based on famous works of art. It inspired me so much for year 2. Most of all, Ms. McConnell showed her students so much love. She never turned sour or "mean" to survive the day. Our students just adored her and wanted to be good for her. I think they appreciated the calm of her room so much, they didn't dare interrupt it. I am so grateful for every piece of advice Ms. McConnell gave me during my first-year because it always came from the heart and was exactly what I needed. This year, Ms. McConnell teaches in New Orleans and about once a week I flood her with five mile-long texts, asking her for advice with certain students and begging for her wisdom. Did I forget to mention how smart Ms. McConnell is? She is one of the most well-read people I know and has an incredible ability to prove her theories with books and articles she has read in the past. I have missed Ms. McConnell everyday during my second year, but my heart explodes with love when I envision all of the wonderful things I know she is doing for her students in New Orleans.
I am also indebted to many people at NPJHS, who have been so wonderful and patient with me. Ms. Linda Sanders is an incredible veteran teacher that helped Ms. Ayer and I so much last year. Most importantly, she always made me feel like she was happy I was on staff. It sounds small, but having a veteran teacher that actually made me feel wanted was so special. Ms. Ralenna Edwards...the absolute woman warrior of NPJHS. I have learned so much from watching her be an absolute boss. I have never seen anyone command such respect. I admire her ability to completely take a room/hallway over like she does. Then, I'll see her in the hallway five minutes later and she will call me "darlin'" and I remember that she is also one of the kindest people I have ever met.
Then, there is my inclusion teacher, Ms. Baker (picture with Ms. Ayer and I above). I still remember one night last year when she called me at home. I was in my bed, feeling so emotionally exhausted from the day when my phone rang. Ms. Baker explained that she called to say she wanted me to stay encouraged, and that she was sorry she could not be in my room. I remember thinking...this is such a kind thing for her to do, and this woman owes me nothing. I thought it was remarkable. Fast forward to this year, and now Ms. Baker is in my classroom twice a day. We are a team and we work incredibly well together. There is so much mutual respect and we are big fans of one another. Lastly (and to me, most importantly), Ms. Baker has always gone above and beyond keeping me updated on a specific student that I have grown very attached to in the building. I don't know what words to use, but I feel like I was supposed to meet this student and play a small role in his life. There have been times when I have been made to feel like my love for him is silly or naive. Ms. Baker has never made me feel like that. Instead, Ms. Baker goes out of her way to keep me updated on how he is doing (he has been socially promoted to the 8th grade). Ms. Baker is a fierce advocate for students at NPJHS. I believe that many of those students lack an advocate in their lives completely, and Ms. Baker's love and attention to them means more than I think she realizes. I am so grateful that my treasured student has the support of Ms. Baker because I know that he is in loving and compassionate hands.
I am also indebted to many people at NPJHS, who have been so wonderful and patient with me. Ms. Linda Sanders is an incredible veteran teacher that helped Ms. Ayer and I so much last year. Most importantly, she always made me feel like she was happy I was on staff. It sounds small, but having a veteran teacher that actually made me feel wanted was so special. Ms. Ralenna Edwards...the absolute woman warrior of NPJHS. I have learned so much from watching her be an absolute boss. I have never seen anyone command such respect. I admire her ability to completely take a room/hallway over like she does. Then, I'll see her in the hallway five minutes later and she will call me "darlin'" and I remember that she is also one of the kindest people I have ever met.
Then, there is my inclusion teacher, Ms. Baker (picture with Ms. Ayer and I above). I still remember one night last year when she called me at home. I was in my bed, feeling so emotionally exhausted from the day when my phone rang. Ms. Baker explained that she called to say she wanted me to stay encouraged, and that she was sorry she could not be in my room. I remember thinking...this is such a kind thing for her to do, and this woman owes me nothing. I thought it was remarkable. Fast forward to this year, and now Ms. Baker is in my classroom twice a day. We are a team and we work incredibly well together. There is so much mutual respect and we are big fans of one another. Lastly (and to me, most importantly), Ms. Baker has always gone above and beyond keeping me updated on a specific student that I have grown very attached to in the building. I don't know what words to use, but I feel like I was supposed to meet this student and play a small role in his life. There have been times when I have been made to feel like my love for him is silly or naive. Ms. Baker has never made me feel like that. Instead, Ms. Baker goes out of her way to keep me updated on how he is doing (he has been socially promoted to the 8th grade). Ms. Baker is a fierce advocate for students at NPJHS. I believe that many of those students lack an advocate in their lives completely, and Ms. Baker's love and attention to them means more than I think she realizes. I am so grateful that my treasured student has the support of Ms. Baker because I know that he is in loving and compassionate hands.