My First Year of Teaching-This could be a book but will be a short monologue really
by Spencer O'Daniel
It's been a year since I posted to my student teaching blog. I remember this time last year my biggest worry was trying to win a junior varsity baseball game, pay my bills, and what tie to wear for graduation. My how things change in 365 ish days.
My first year of teaching has been the highest of the highs, and the lowest of the lows. I came into a room that I literally had to ask other teachers to help me clean. 25 two-wheeled trash cans later, it was done. I came into the counselor's office and the first thing she asks me is, "Are you a part-time teacher here?" My first day of newspaper, I realized I had TWO students in newspaper. The best part? Both were seniors. The program was in debt, everyone hated the newspaper and yearbook, and journalism was like an animal you had just hunted down in the forest, shot, and had been dragging it's way along prepared to die but never could quite give up.
We created a newspaper that has students talking. We have created a yearbook that showcases ALL of our students and tells stories no one has heard before. We've created an online website which is current, fresh, and contains content that our students are genuinely interested in. This website won 1st place at a competition! We've sold almost 50% more yearbooks than last year, and have students jealous that THEY don't have their yearbook (we have completely sold out). We have interviewed a professional NFL player, had our first student in at least 10 years compete at state KSPA, and we've raised over $3,000 dollars through a dodgeball tournament, photo booth, ad sales, and various other things.
Has it been stressful? Absolutely. Has it been time consuming? Of course. Have I asked myself why I chose to be a journalism adviser? 3-4 times this year.
But I learned so much about myself this year. I learned even more about high school students. The students that I work with at my school are mostly from undereducated, poor and violent homes. Is this all of them? No. Is this quite a few of them? Absolutely. I've learned that if you take a student and invest in them, they will invest in you and your cause twice as much as what you put in. If you give a kid something to believe in, something to be proud of and take pride in, they will shine like the brightest star. I've had moments that have taken my breath away, moments that I've had to hide tears because of how impressed I was with the things these students can achieve. THIS is what makes what I do worth it.
It's the end of the year and yes, motivation is lacking. But my heart is full of memories, the highs and lows of 2012-2013. I won't forget my first year of teaching. What a ride :)
You have to want to be the best. That's all that matters.
