University of Northern Iowa - Old Gold Yearbook (Cedar Falls, IA)

Page 29 text:

Remember the nervousness of the days of parent-teacher conferences . . . you wished desperately that you had been more observant of the children. But it al- ways seemed that way. Even in the days of class observation, you always seemed to be more absorbed in the activity and effect, rather than being able to con- centrate on specific children. ln the conferences, though, it was thrilling the way the parents accepted you as a teacher and listened respectfully to what you had to say. There were many other wonderful things, too, your pride in your students' part in the assembly program, their bravery in getting their immunity shots, their infectious joy when they mastered a playground skill, and your elation when they became truly absorbed in the Words you spoke to them. Soon it Was almost over. You felt that at last you could relax. But with a shock, you realized you would miss the kids. You had to be stern with yourself to keep back the tears when the goodbye hugs came. But with many promises to come back soon for a visit, you climbed into the homeward bus for the last time. . . . and you began answering raised hands. n lv ini :vp 1 Kvl ' ' wfrf-

Page 28 text:

49' ll 11-. .J- , s-- . . . a little self confidence sneaked in. Then came the day you were to teach all by yourself. The preparations had started a week before. You had revived your knowledge of the movie projector C thank heavens for that Audio-vis. courseb, prepared what you hoped would be a thought-provoking bulletin board, and given yourself a pep talk. And surprisingly enough, the day went wellg just as planned. You began to think that maybe you would be able to handle your own class, after all. The days kept slipping by-some good, some not so good. But all of them in- teresting and very educational. You knew what it was to have twenty mutineers on a rainy day . . . to think fast and produce an interesting but not too vigorous game. Sometimes you felt a little mutinous yourself. Like the time your supervisor made you rearrange the bulletin board four times before it looked right. Or the day you dropped the plate of sandwiches in the lunch room. You wondered how you ever could have decided to become a teacher. lt was times like these when the life of a secretary certainly appealed. an-lawn if 1 - mx

Page 30 text:

X Qi ' w Xa,.x K 5.-1 11 -'I . . . they became truly absorbed. 3 v A fx 4 .-.sg--Mum fr! f . . . days slip by, some good, some not so good Now as you finish your college career, you try to remember all the advice given you. You especially try to hold fast to every experience of student teaching. And as you think of the exciting day you taught your class alone, it's hard to be- lieve you'll soon have another 180 just like it. ltis a big challenge . . . and you look forward to another Hfirst day of being a real teacher. , . it is a passion, I love to teach.