Student Teaching - Final Blog

by Amanda Mast - Curie Metro High School

For the past few summers I worked at a summer camp in upstate New York. We would always start the summer with two weeks of intense training where we were surrounded by our co-workers. At the end of the training, we were given that Sunday as a “solo day” to reflect and rejuvenate, a day where we were encouraged to climb a mountain or go for a kayak trip on our own and just listen to the quiet world around us.

Pictures from my solo day

This last Sunday, I took a “solo day” in Chicago. I started at the Lincoln Park Zoo, and got lost many times. At the same time, can you get lost when you have no real destination? Moving on I walked to the beach, making sure to walk through the sand rather than the sidewalk; it was nice to have a change of surface. I walked along Lake Michigan for a while until I hit Navy Pier. I took a walking break and sat in the Crystal Gardens, a botanical within the attraction. After observing everything there, I moved on to Grant Park to see the Buckingham Fountain, but I stumbled upon the NFL draft spot, an obviously exciting place. 

While it is great that I was able to see or re-see all of these places, I also did a great deal of reflecting and thinking about my Chicago experience. I have grown as a person in such a small period of time.  I have become more independent while still depending on people around me. I have learned to balance work and play. I realized how much I love my job. I love students, teachers, classrooms, books, teaching students how to love learning, and much more. In New York, I learned how to find the beauty in nature, but here I learned how to find the beauty in exploring. The view of the skyline will never stop being impressive. Making students laugh will never stop being fulfilling. Turtle races is always a must, and if Stubhub has cheap tickets, you get on a train and go. I have always heard that you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, but here I actually applied that. I have been pushed so far out of my comfort zone that I don’t even know where my “safe place” even is. I came to the conclusion that this has been the best four months of my life, and I am not sure how it will be topped. During my six mile walk, I laughed and (almost) cried, and realized that I loved this city way too much. I’m going home knowing so much more about myself and with an open mind. I feel prepared to graduate; I have no regrets. 

Lupe, a UIC student teacher, and I
cutting our farewell cake at Curie Metro High School

Before my roommates left me, we made one more special outing, one we had planned on doing for a long time. We all went to a Cubs game. Though they lost, we had fun eating peanuts and pretending to be big fans of the team. This last adventure perfectly frames all of the fun we have had as a group. My roommates have provided me with distractions, support, adventures, and so much more. Their friendship means so much to me, and living with them made Chicago that much better. It is crazy to me that I was randomly placed with these ladies, all of which have completely different personalities, and we did not just get along but needed each other. Thank you, ladies, and I hope your Chicago Semester was as fulfilling as mine was. 

A few final pictures of my roommates and me!
The last one is from the Cubs game.

I did not go to Curie on Monday because I was observing at a different CPS school, and when I came back, I was bombarded with sad, worried children. It’s hard for them to focus on school when they are reminded that I am leaving at the end of the week. Students who I have had problems with are apologizing and telling me they were “getting used to me.”  How can I leave them? I feel cruel. They have threatened to kidnap me so that I can’t leave- a nice thought, I guess. I could not have asked for better students to work with, and I will miss every one of them. Also shout out to my cooperating teachers, Melissa Ayala and Preston Woo, for taking on the challenge of teaching this Iowa girl how to teach in an urban school. You gave me the freedom to take risks and fail sometimes, but what is even better is that they let me talk it out afterwards, rather than just telling me what I did wrong. There is nothing I can say or give you guys that will express how grateful I am that I was placed with you two.

I’m finding it difficult to stop writing because doing that further signifies how close I am to the end. Final thoughts on student teaching in Chicago: I am leaving feeling like I can do anything. If you are considering the program, do it. You may not think that urban education is not your specialty, but how will you know unless you try it? This is the perfect taste of city living and teaching, the perfect stepping stone to living alone and being completely independent. I am leaving with a new confidence and a new home. 

Thank you all for keeping up with my blogs and for your prayers and support.