Hello again, reader. So, obviously teaching hasn't killed me yet! It's been so fun so far- I'm getting really comfortable in the classroom and have already gotten permission to lead and present my own lesson. I think I have some really solid ideas on how to get the sleepy, antsy class to get more excited about what we're working on. I've also been hard at work with my art. Here are all the pieces I've finished this month! I'm really excited about how much art I'm able to make now that my schedule is so open. This month has been one of really settling into what it's going to be like at my internship on a daily basis. I've learned that this class is much less... organized... than I originally expected, but it's a lot of fun and I feel like I am definitely learning and also honing my art! I've met so many kids and have been hard at work trying to figure out how they learn best and what makes class fun and exciting for them. We've been doing project prep, class management, and our own art (as well as being a bit of a distraction sometimes), and I'm really enjoying what we do! Our teacher is a bit... wild, so I'm learning a little about ways I'm not sure I personally would run a classroom, too. That said, her class is still a lot of fun. The highlight of my month was actually a few days ago. My heart just about melted completely. I came into the school late, because I had an interview with my guidance counselor, and was heading down to the art room. Out of nowhere, a girl from one of my third grade classes bolted out of her classroom to give me a huge hug! It literally made my week. It's the third hug I've gotten from the kids this month, and I'm living my best life. Another highlight was teaching! I've taught about 3 little mini lessons all on my own, without any planning. Sometimes class gets out of control or the kids get kind of bummed because the teacher can be a little strict, and I've taken to just standing up, grabbing a marker, and doing a lesson interacting with the class. My Bio-Med speaking skills are finally being put to the test! It's all really wild and fast paced but I really enjoy what I do and I'm just super thrilled about all of it. This month, I learned that I have a lot more ability than I thought I did when it comes to taking charge and just doing what needs to be done. Like I mentioned earlier, our teacher is sweet but sometimes really disorganized and strict with the kids. I've started getting things ready when she's not here, keeping the class settled down, and planning my own lessons (with her permission, of course; I'm not staging a coup) and it's really... empowering? I don't think that's exactly the right word but I'm starting to trust my gut a little more. I also learned COMICS ARE HARD. I'm so behind my original plan for my webcomic! It's so frustrating. I've made the first page, which I'll post a preview of below, but I really thought I'd have more of it done. Most of the sketches are still in my notebook. I've spent so much time writing about it and thinking of the ideas while practicing my other art, that I really haven't moved as fast as i wanted to. That's okay, though, I'm going to make it! I just have to work harder and organize my time better. Fixing my sleep schedule should help. My biggest challenge this month was taking charge and making the class a fun experience for the kids and working on my comic. The art teacher has a tendency to get really frustrated outwardly with the students, and it ends up taking a lot of time (and fun) out of the class. It's hard with more difficult students, and I'm still learning how to get them both excited about the current projects, while still being able to enjoy the art class, and also not being disrespectful to my supervisor, because it is her class, not mine. So sometimes, I'm just going to have to go along with it. The comic needs more work, and I think I have to STOP being such a perfectionist, or it will never, ever get done! I've re-done this first page so many times that looking at it makes me want to scream. Here are a few panels from it. Overall, I'm loving my internship. I love the kids, the teacher, and the whole experience. It's just so interesting and engaging, I never know what to expect (one day they all came in dressed up, we had a Tom Petty, an Alexander Hamilton, and a Joan of Arc). The kids are adorable and so funny to talk to, I'm able to push myself with new supplies and materials, and I can do it all in walking distance from my school! It's such a blessing, honestly. I feel super lucky to have this internship and I can't wait to see what happens in October.
And hey, thanks for sticking with me! Until next time.
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November 2018
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