Love the struggle

Today is Friday, September 14, 2012 - the day I, Bianca Nicole, complete my 3rd week of teaching 4th grade. I've had 3 weeks filled with faculty meetings, lesson plans, minimal sleep, lots of coffee...

I'm exhausted.

Teaching has been one of the most challenging tasks I have ever taken on. I have SO much to learn, & just not enough time. I want to be the best I can absolutely be, yet I am nowhere near exemplary. I'm not used to struggling so much - I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water, one step away from drowning in work. 

But when I think of my students, I know that they need me. They are absolutely wonderful. They remind me that I need to try my best, that we are on the same path to reach a common goal, that "one day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain excellent education."

I'm learning to love the struggle.

My 19 new children

 My days clocked into work begin officially at 7:30 a.m., & end at 4:40 a.m., but in reality, a teacher's day is much longer. I aim to arrive at school at 6:50 a.m., teach, & leave at about 5:30 p.m. (on a good day). I continue working from home until it's time for bed, then do it all over again.

I'm waiting for the day when teaching "clicks." So far, I don't feel like a teacher. I don't feel like I know what I'm doing. I do know that I'm learning, though. A LOT. At least I have that!

Here's my 3 weeks of school in photos:

First day of school. My students told me what a good teacher should do,
& I wrote it on the board.

My officially official teaching badge!

I got an apple from one of my students...it made my day :)

Dora the Explorer birthday invitation from another student. Adorable.

De La Rosa candy from a student.

My class, in action.

Teaching my students about the 2012 presidential election. We listened to
Michelle Obama's speech from the Democratic Convention.

Gotta get them reading!

In line in the hallway. Did I mention I have 15 boys, & only 4 girls??

Cualitativo vs cuantitativo

 Things I've been able to do in Fort Worth during my minimal free time...

Fort Worth Food Truck - absolutely delicious, with a wonderful atmosphere

Red velvet & banana nutella cupcakes from Red Jett (a food truck)

"See How They Run" at Circle Theatre

Logo designing for Daniel Silverman Photography

Attending weddings in beautiful places

Flying through the sky amidst travel

My babies.

Prepare

I finally visited my school, T.A. Sims Elementary, & could not be more thrilled to begin working. The school is just the right size, the faculty & staff are super friendly, & the school seems to be very cohesive & united.

I will be one of the five 4th grade instructors, & one of the three dual language instructors within that team. A tentative school day is as follows:

7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. - School breakfast
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - Reading (120 min)
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Reading MINDS
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Writing (120 min)
12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Lunch
12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. - Math
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - Teacher Conference
2:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - Math
3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. - Bilingual Centers
3:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Science

I will be teaching reading/writing in both Spanish & English (50/50), math in English, and science in Spanish (twice a week). My school day is much longer than most, as we participate in extended days.

This week & next week I am participating in Fort Worth ISD teacher orientation. My district is wonderful!

T.A. Sims Elementary

Teach For America assignments

Teach For America was lucky to receive a huge donation from Cengage Learning. To show our appreciation, many DFW 2012 Corps Members attended the Cengage Rise & Shine Event...which began at 5:45 a.m. in Dallas for participants! 

TFA Corps at Rise & Shine

 The event was themed Michael Jackson...it was interesting!

In my free time, I explore Fort Worth...

Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth

 ...but my future class is constantly on my mind :)

Goal: Teach WITH Leadership

Test, Test, Test

Post-institute life has been filled with tests, paperwork, & orientation. Besides the tests, I've enjoyed the free time, which has allowed me to road trip to Colorado & settle home in Fort Worth.

Another thing that has happened post-institute: I got an RT (retweet) from the Teach For America Twitter account! For a social media queen, this was really exciting to me. Haha.

Check out that #1 tweet!

Test 1: The Bilingual Supplemental tests your knowledge about how bilingual education came to be in the U.S., as well as best practices for a bilingual classroom.

I wore my Nike Olympics tank for good luck to my
bilingual supplemental test..

...& good thing, because it helped me pass! Performed like a champ.

Test 2: The Language Proficiency Test (LPT) checks oral & written proficiency in both English & Spanish. It ended up being a bit more difficult to me than expected...

Doormat outside of the testing site.

My Fort Worth ISD new team member pin I received at orientation.

I moved into my house in Fort Worth! My room contains only the
essentials - a bed & shelf. Still on the lookout for a desk & dresser!

The Fort Worth Stockyards. YEEHAW.

Today is the Day!

Induction at SMU started TODAY, & I am here with a happy heart & full of excitement! Also, the fact that I passed my TExES exam helped make the day even better =]

Although my morning started out a bit rough, I made it to Dallas on time at 9 a.m. As soon as I arrived at SMU, I found past & present TFA corps members parading around campus with signs, greeting all the new members...felt like I was starting freshman year all over again!

After check-in, I moved into my dorm room. I think Milton Daniel at TCU spoiled me a bit, because McElvaney Hall at SMU is just not as cool :P

My room! But my roommate was a no-show :(

I think I have a handicap room, it's enormous!

HUGE closet

This binder holds my life schedule for the week

I made some friends, ate some yummy food, & learned more about Teach for America's mission and involvement in DFW.

Our "lecture" room

Tomorrow I meet with Fort Worth ISD principals & have the possibility of finding out where I'll be teaching - *fingers crossed!*

"Milk & cookies" with our mentors for the evening

"If not you, who? If not now, when?"

"YOU are the movement."

The beginning

"Our vision is that one day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education."

In 28 days I will officially begin my journey as a 2012 TFA Corps member within the DFW metroplex. In 4 days, I will be a college graduate...& at this moment, I am filled with excitement & nerves.

I've just finished my last college exam, and reality is sinking in. I am going to be an elementary school teacher in a bilingual classroom - but did I mention I've never taught a class? Right now, the image of 20 plus students calling me "Ms. Castro" is super intimidating - but it also puts a smile on my face.

In hopes of capturing the ups & downs, the challenges and life lessons learned, I've made this blog for not only friends & family, but also myself. I love documenting experiences - as I learned while studying abroad - & know that this new chapter in life will be equally as unique as the past ones.

Follow along as I discover life as a graduate, teacher, & TFA corps member...cheers to new beginnings!