Frumpy, Stumpy, and Bumpy: Student Teaching and Graduation

My last year of college was the hardest and busiest of all my years in school, but it was also my favorite. I was able to be a part of the Urban Education option at Kennesaw State University. Fall 2011 I observed an AP Calculus class at Osborne High School for 20 hours or so and also team taught a lesson on the Product Rule with another intern.

Spring 2012 I did 20 special education observation hours at Smitha Middle School. My favorite part of these observation hours was going to P.E. with the students with disabilities. They cranked up the music, walked/ran laps, and played games. At one point, a girl who I think had autism, grabbed the microphone and said "This one is for all the ladies!"

Fall 2012 I was in an 11th grade math class. This was my hardest semester ever. I didn't sleep much, especially during the 2 week unit that I taught. But this semester was great preparation for student teaching.

Spring 2013 was my official student teaching semester. I worked with Ms. Vinson. She co-teaches 10th grade math with Mr. Voyles, who is the special education teacher. They were the best team I'd ever seen. We had so much fun together! They LOVE their students and are both passionate about what they do. They really do want to make a difference for good in the lives of their students. We laughed a lot together and I really loved working with both of them!

I also loved the students this semester. I felt like I really got to know some of them and my relationships with the students was what motivated me when I was stressed or tired. There were 3 girls in one block who were so excited for me and the baby. They always made comments about how big my belly was getting and how they "loved pregnant women!" There was another student who is considered to have a learning disability. He worked harder than any other student in any other class! He would come to class everyday and would just eat up whatever I was teaching. And everyday he would say "Oh man, I don't know if I can do this Ms. Rampton. This is so hard!" But then when we'd review, he would be like "Oh yeah, I remember this, this is easy." At one point, he got the highest grade on a unit test. He's one of those people that you look at and you can just see how good they are. That they are more pure or more innocent than most other people. I can't really explain it, but every teacher I talked to who had taught him had a soft place in their heart for him.

I can go on and on about the students I taught, but in short, I am so glad I did student teaching!! I came really close to pulling out when we ran into some bumps in the road in December. But Colby and my mom were my cheerleaders and we were able to get through it. Dr. Guillory, a professor I will never forget and will always admire, was also my advocate and inspired me to keep going. I feel more confident in my ability to teach now that I have gone through student teaching.

Ms. Vinson, me and Mr. Voyles

At the end of the student teaching semester, each Urban Education intern had to do a capstone presentation. Basically a 30 minute presentation where we show evidence that we met the requirements of the program. I was very nervous and stressed about it, but it went better than I had hoped. Colby came and brought donuts for everyone, which was awesome! And most of the other interns came and watched my presentation as well, which made me feel good. As I shared what I learned from my experiences, I was very honest and felt good about what I said. During the 15 minutes of questions/comments after my presentation, I felt amazing! My professors and the teachers at Osborne pointed out how much I had grown and the strengths that I had as a teacher. They mentioned how painfully honest I am, which is a trait I am beginning to be proud of. They also mentioned that it would be good for me to look for a teaching position of some sort because of my qualifications. Basically that they didn't want me to waste all that I learned as they knew I am going to do the stay at home mom thing. I was flattered. I don't consider staying home with my baby (who will be highlighted in the next post) a waste though. Now that he is here, there is no one I'd rather spend my days with. At some point, I may look into a part time online teaching position. But mostly it's just nice to know that I have a bachelor degree and a teaching certificate/license. It's a big confidence booster for me.

If you want to see the website I made for my capstone presentation, you can view it at tammyrampton.weebly.com.

Graduation day was an amazing feeling! I was pretty pregnant at the time, which probably contributed to my strong emotions and that I wanted to cry throughout the ceremony, but it felt good to know that I did it. With about 6 and half years worth of college classes on my college transcript, I finally have a degree!!!! Sweet!!!!

Me and Ashley before graduation. I carpooled with her and the other Ashley during the student teaching semester and it was awesome! We'd vent and laugh and sometimes cry together on our way to school and home each day. I LOVED carpooling with the Ashley's!!