Well, it's been one week.

I get to my school at 7:40 in the morning, and I get home anytime from 4pm to 5:15. Let me just tell ya: teachers do not get enough credit. Music teachers definitely do not get enough credit!

I left relatively quickly after school ended, but my cooperating teacher (CT) stayed later, sometimes until 7pm, to prepare for the coming lessons. Wow!

This week was mostly a "observational" week...I watched, participated, took notes, and discussed aspects of the class with my CT. She was really great; she took time to sit down and talk with me about certain classes and strategies.

My favorite part? The kids, no question.

They are so quick to invite you into the class, and they practically glue themselves to your side! One little one sat next to me, took my hand and smiled at me...and we hadn't even said one word to each other! :)

I had several This-Is-What-I-Was-Meant-To-Do moments...one happened after I had given a sectional to 6 6th grade trumpet players...what a great group! They were RIGHT with me...and it was great to feel like I was making a difference.

It's only just begun...I have MUCH more work ahead of me! It might be exhausting, but I know this semester will be a fantastic learning experience for me.

This coming week I have more responsibilities. I'm directing a few songs for the middle school FAME choir, leading the advance band in sight reading, playing the cello and violin for the 2nd graders, and taking a 3rd grade class on Friday.

Thats all for today. Till next time!
~Briana

Well, Happy New Year!

It might be a while before I post pictures again. Our camera broke around the same time as my last blog. Andrew went to Best Buy twice, looking at cameras, and we weren't able to agree on what kind to get. We went back a 3rd and 4th time...and came home with a Wii.

So yes, now we have joined the 21st century. The last video game that I played was my family's old N64...and I wasn't that good at it. I'm not very good at this Wii business, but man, it's fun! My arm is killing me from tennis and boxing, bowling and frisbee golf.

Andrew also got Donkey Kong Country Returns and Mario Galaxy II...which have kept him quite occupied for the last couple days. In fact, one could easily tell from a look at our apartment that we have ceased to function as responsible adults this weekend. I see it as a final hurrah before Andrew starts work and I start student teaching tomorrow. :)

Thank the Lord, Andrew is back on 1st shift, at least for the next 6 months. This means that Andrew and I will be getting up early again and have a similar schedule. Student teaching might be more difficult than a full load of classes (?), but I look forward to the simplified schedule.

For the next few months, this blog might be a bit of a 'Student Teaching Blog'...I want to journal my thoughts and feelings about teaching so that I can look back and see what I've learned. Whether or not that actually happens is a different story.

In other news, I am going sugar-free for the month of January, along with my mom and couple friends. Andrew's made it clear that this is one adventure in which he will NOT be joining me. :) If you'd like to join me, go for it! I had enough sugar in December to make up for three months...

And that's it. Now I'm going to go enjoy the rest of this evening and get everything ready for tomorrow morning...Excel Charter Academy, here I come!