My word is GROW

The time has come for me to turn in my badge at Kennard - Dale. Over the past 15 weeks I had the opportunity to teach some really amazing students. When I first began student teaching I was given a sheet to hang outside of the classroom that says what my word of the year will be. My word for the year was grow. Little did I know back then just how much I would grow over the course of these 15 weeks.

Growth in content:

Over the past 15 weeks I taught a variety of courses that covered animal and plant sciences. One of these classes in particular, I was pretty nervous about. This class was vet science. I wasn't nervous because of the students in the class, it wasn't anything like that. I was scared of the content. I lacked confidence in my ability to teach content that I was unsure of. I taught topics such as digestion, reproduction, and the cardiovascular system. This class challenged me to better myself. I had to for my students to get the education they deserved. I learned how to reach out for help and to use my resources. In the end this ended up being one of my favorite classes to teach! I especially loved having the students create models of the different systems out of clay. However, I loved all of my classes. I loved the ability to teach something new every day in every class. I helped prepare for the plant sale, learned about dairy cows, and how to take the heart rate of a goat!

Growth with connections:

Before student teaching I lacked the confidence to reach out to peers and community members for help. During student teaching I had to learn how to communicate with others in a professional manner whether it be other faculty, community members, or parents. Everyone has something to offer. I also was able to connect with many other agricultural educators in Pennsylvania from going to professional development or conferences such as ACES and SLLC. They made me feel so welcomed!

Growth in my confidence:

During student teaching I grew in my confidence when it comes to teaching and in my abilities to lead. When this all started I knew I was going to do it, but I was not confident in my ability to teach. I was scared they all knew more than me. I slowly learned that I can do this. I found joy in teaching them something they they did not know and hearing them say that they used the material in their lives outside of the classroom. Nothing beats the feeling of when a student comes up to you after competing in a CDE and saying "Ms. Sweeten, they asked us this question and I was the only one who knew the answer because of what you taught us in class that one day!" It is things like this that reassure me that this is what what teaching should feel like. This is what I am supposed to for the rest of my life.

As I sit here looking at my coffee stained word of the year poster (crying a little) I have a few things to share with the cohort below me.

- Teaching is not easy.

- There are good and bad days.

- Be flexible

- Coffee is going to become your best friend

- Do not doubt yourself for one second, and if you do call me.

- Welcome every opportunity

- Learn from every feedback form to make yourself better.

- You can do this!

I also want to give a special thank you to my cooperating teacher Hannah Harris and the chapters co-advisor Leah Bracey. Without their help I wouldn't feel confident in the teacher that I have become.

That is all for this story with Ms. Sweeten. Thank you for being here!