My First Day Teaching

Well, it's official people.  I am Senorita Winterton.  I have officially taught my first Spanish class, and guess what?  I didn't cry.  I didn't panic.  I didn't run out screaming.  And more importantly...the kids didn't cry.  The kids didn't panic.  The kids didn't run out screaming.  I'll call that a win.  Today I realized what all Spanish teachers want their kids to realize:  I can do something with the language, and more than that, I can teach with the language.  I'll be honest, once again I've been having many reservations about teaching Spanish...whether or not this is for me, etc.  And they are still there, but teaching this class confirmed that I really enjoy teaching (I'm sure if you asked my brothers or cousins this wouldn't surprise them at all, I've always liked being bossy and making up the rules! haha).

So what was my first class like?  Well, I'll tell you.  It was the first day of Chapter 7B which is all about shopping and buying gifts.  My teacher had come up with the lesson plan, which she taught 2nd period and then I taught 3rd.  We did a lot of exercises out of the book, which is something I'm still unsure about, but we did a lot of class discussion which I loved.  It was hard for me to teach this way though because it just didn't seem like me.  It seemed like I was trying to act like my CT instead of being Senorita Winterton.  I think I will enjoy it a lot more and teach more fluidly when I create my own lessons.  My teacher commented that she thought it went really, really well!  She did have some critique:  such as varying what praise words I use and more movement WHILE I'm teaching.  I usually do a good job in activities, but I need to make sure I'm moving when I'm teaching also.

Well there it is folks, Day 2 comes tomorrow.