First Semester as a graduate

"Learning is finding out what we already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you. You are all learners, doers, and teachers."
-- Richard Bach

While this blog did not get updated the way I would have hoped/ imagined it would, I do have some exciting news!
In November I finished the only class that was holding me back from actually graduating! I also, to boot, received an 'A' in the class and on every single paper I submitted to him. SUCK IT. I worked incredibly hard on it and it was so worth it to have him have to acknowledge that I am a good writer.
On another note. I also got a 4.0 this semester in all of my grad classes! A pass in seminar and an 'A' in the other two! I was ecstatic. I worked this whole semester while teaching and going to school. UGH. Sometimes I do not feel people understand that this, teaching, is my passion and I am trying my best to get through. I also received a 125/125 on my work sample in my methods class. OH MY GOODNESS. It was 189 pages long an included student work, part of the reason it was so long, but I got it done.
My instructor wrote...
"This is an exemplary WS in every respect. You obviously put in a ton
of work on it, and hence, the reason it came in later than promised.
Not to worry. I was singularly impressed by just about everything you
did. Your overall grade is 125/125. I couldn't find anything to
improve without sounding really picky. Again, great work."
And on the comment sheet he wrote...

"This is nicely organized…thank you.  Your overview and rationale provide a solid context for the unit. 

You lesson objectives were excellent.  You might add how they will be measured (…as measured on a teacher made rubric) but otherwise, they are clearly written. 

Reading strategies are well done.  You made my job easier by listing them separately from your lessons so I didn’t have to hunt for them.  Again, thanks.

Your lessons are extremely well laid out and thorough.  In all, this is an exemplary job.  The detail and obvious amount of work you put into it speaks for itself.  

I was impressed by everything:  use of hooks, clear objectives, thorough planning, and detailed reflections.  Adding the student notes assessing you was another nice touch.  


Great job."

OH.MY.GOODNESS.
How excited was I? I forwarded this to my mentor teacher as soon as I got it.
Overall. Good first semester as a graduate student.