Sitting here trying to create unit plans for my final practicum I feel both inspired and discouraged. I will begin with an idea and all of a sudden I am way too far into my rabbit hole and have visited 20 different topics on my way there. I am feeling grateful for all of the knowledge I have gained from the UNBC education program in planning and creativity. At the same time, I am finding myself stumped as I attempt to narrow my focus. I am reminded of when I used to try and tackle term papers and the same process would occur. I would begin with an idea so broad that I could build a million pathways off of it and I would start to do just that. Sometimes my inspirations move a lot faster than my logical thought process. I am trying to narrow focus so that I can provide students with an exciting learning journey through my next practicum. I know I will get there as long as I am patient with myself and my abilities as an emerging educator.
I have been placed in a grade 6/7 class for this next practicum and am quickly realizing how out of my element I am. This grade level is definitely new to me in regards to level of academics, planning processes, and social dynamics. I know that this change will be beneficial to me in order to provide myself with some growth as an educator. In order to grow you need to step out of your comfort zone and I am doing just that. The next ten weeks will probably be the craziest ten weeks of my educational career. I have so many emotions but among the strongest is excitement. I have already met my students and can only imagine the possibilities for the time that I get to hang out with them. They don’t realize it but they will be one of the biggest highlights of my career as an educator. I know that these kids will push and challenge me to be the best educator I can be as long as I remain reflective and flexible.