I would say this week had its fair share of triumphs. It is always reassuring knowing that you are headed in the right direction, especially when your mind gets lost in doubt and chaos. My main takeaway this week is to always remember to celebrate the triumphs that happen in your teaching experiences – whether it was a successful lesson and the students grasped the concept, or the behaviour student in your class wrote a few words in a writing activity (when usually it is a struggle.) My school advisor really brought this to light to me, and going forward I’ll try to write down one triumph that occurred in my daily reflections that I like to keep. My midpoint meeting was also a humbling experience this week. Hearing that I am on the right track is probably the best thing so far. I am grateful for the support my school advisors, and you Frank, have given me. I do get a little uncomfortable hearing the “strengths” as I don’t like to be put on the spot, but after the fact, I am happy to know that I have found a place in my school advisors’ classroom. The end of the week was also something to be celebrated. Our students were excited to make their life cycle booklets, and they turned out great! It’s one thing to have a successful lesson, but when you hear “Can we make that?!” or “Can we take it home?” – it is a great feeling. I felt the activity was a good way for the students to know the life cycle, and to engage them in making their own “finished product.” Even one of my behaviour students was on task and tried his best. He told me that we really wanted to make it for his grandmother and could not wait to show her. For me, that was definitely the triumph of the day.

Sometimes when I’m lesson planning, I get caught up in the logistics of the lesson. But what I have to remember is that everything falls into place when you know the end goal, and you have fun with the students while you’re up there in front of them. If you’re excited, then there’s a good possibility they will reciprocate that excitement!