Week one was great. the elementary (which is my first placement but I'm going to be doing both at the same time) is actually in all three of the elementary schools. Each school has its positives, and negatives.
The first school, Sunrise Ave, is a basic run of the mill elementary school, fun teachers, all the 5th grade teachers that deal with my cooperating teacher are very accommodating and hilarious. The sad thing is the strange black cloud that is over the school. It seems that a lot of the teachers have some kind of major dilemma in their life. Whether it is an ill parent, a divorce, or even a daughter dying (three in one school within 4 months is just odd and scary). Even with all of these problems, the teachers seem to be very strong willed and all work very well together. The second, Cherry, is another basic run of the mill elementary school, the general music teacher is absolutely hilarious, as is the secretary (whose quote of the day was, "I wish god gave me the money instead of these great looks, so I could pay for them and have both!") I didn't get to meet any of the 5th grade teachers, but I hear nice things. We teach on the Stage here, which isn't a problem except for half of one lesson and the fact the clock in on the other side of the cafeteria. The Third is Lincoln Ave., which my cooperating teacher calls the school for the Hampton's. You see, half of Sayville is, well normal, average middle to upper middle class, gets what they want and are happy with it. This is where the other 2 elementary schools are. But, Lincoln, its in the section of the school district there the 2 3 and 4 million dollar houses are. Most of the students know they are well off, and some of them have wonderfully already realized that Daddy can buy them what ever they want, and are all walking around with iPhones (btw these are 5th graders). The teachers are nice, but I just feel like if the students wanted to, a mutiny could ensue. Luckily the principle is a wonderful person who clearly takes charge and runs the place like a tight ship. Diane, my cooperating teacher, runs the elementary band program in all three schools. So far she seems to have a handle on it. I feel that the music department as a whole in the school district doesn't really have a solid focus on a set goal. Almost all of the students come into the band program not knowing how to read rhythm and notes, which I personally feel should at least have an understanding in a general music room.
Its great working with Diane, she went to the Aaron Copland School of Music, and so she doesn’t have all the same tricks in her bag that I have in mine. Therefore, as much as this is a learning experience for me, it is for her as well. Both her and I had this worry that we wouldn’t get along, I’m her first student teacher, but that went out the window about half the way through the first day. By Tuesday she was so excited that I get to work with her every week until May and by Wednesday I had already started teaching small lessons.
Friday was a bit of a rough day. Jeff Hoffman, Diane’s husband and the choral director at the high school, had an extremely mild heart attack Thursday and she needed to stay with him at the hospital on Friday. Sayville’s faculty is great, when there is a problem; the first thing they ask isn’t how to fix the problem. It is to find out if you’re all right and if you need anything. This is such a great aspect of being a professional and I plan on taking that with me and using it in every aspect of life. She called me to let me know this and I reminded her about the fact that Sayville lets student teachers substitute up to three times during their time. I went in and taught all of the small lessons on Friday and all of the students loved it!
I’m starting to learn their names, which might be difficult for me because I only see the students once a week, and different ones each day. This entire experience is turning out to be an amazing one, and I love every moment of it.
