Summer Reflection

This summer I have had the wonderful opportunity to work in a library as a Summer Reading Program coordinator. It has been a wild ride. Today was the final sessions and after 7 weeks, I cannot believe my time with the kids are done. I feel like self reflection and assessment is so important in the teaching field, if you aren't constantly learning, how can you teach anyone to enjoy learning?

This summer has been the fastest four months of my life, filled with frustrations, craziness, laughter, and love. What I have learned working with kids is that there are going to be times where they frustrate you, where they do not listen to save their lives, and where you go home absolutely exhausted and drained, but there are so many times when kids entertain and love that it makes it so worth it! Though this summer I have had some difficulties and have doubted my abilities, I am ending this summer sad that it ended, but so glad that the kids walked away happy. Our Finale is in two days and I am so excited to award the kids with their certificates for the summer. They deserve every bit of it! I think one of the most important things I have learned this summer is that no matter how many things go wrong or how many time I feel I have failed, if the kids never want it to stop, I've done absolutely everything right! I have also learned that remembering kids names is really special. I've always managed to remember kids, it's a skill I am very proud of, and it has served me well. Remembering kids makes their experience each day so much more special and the love and joy you get in return is so amazing. Ultimately, this summer has been a filled with chaos, tears, laughter, shouting, love, and finally, a lost voice, and it's been a real adventure!

As I enter my first practicum semester of three, I am a ball of nervousness, terrified, and excited. Throughout this summer I, as per usual, questioned my abilities and my choice. I tend to waver between absolute confidence in my love and passion of teaching and complete terror and questioning. As this summer ends, I know that this passion is real and that this choice I've made is definitely the right one (because a highly recommended into an esteemed education faculty is not enough apparently). I have realized I will always have days that I question my abilities and I will always finish satisfied and in love with the path I have chosen for myself. I guess a decision and dream made at three years of age is one of the best decisions and dreams to stick to.