I am a bundle of mixed emotions! Excited, anxious, and slightly nervous are the main ones! Right now I am student teaching at Blowing Rock Elementary in second grade. I couldn't have asked for a better school or class! I have thoroughly enjoyed what the school has offered and the opportunity to be in the classroom teaching.
Growing up I have always wanted to be a teacher and this experience of being in the classroom has only strengthened that desire. I feel that this opportunity to student teach abroad will not only help with teaching but also help expand my knowledge of another culture as well as help me grow as an individual.
I will be in Nicoya, Costa Rica for my international student teaching. One of the travel books I bought said that Nicoya was "one of the most pleasant cities in the region" with a very welcoming atmosphere. Since I have read that statement I can only imagine what my stay and visit to Costa Rica will be like. I will be helping teach pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. I very much look forward to the experience with that age group.
Last semester during practicum, I was placed in kindergarten and loved it. I hope I can take some of the activities and lessons I taught and adapt them for the students in Costa Rica. I also look forward to the challenge of teaching English to Spanish speaking children.
One of the major things I hope to achieve is an understanding of a different culture. I am going into this experience with an open mind and hope to soak up everything that I can. I hope to find things in their teaching that I can use when I have my own classroom.
I am also looking forward to the opportunity to travel. One thing I will definitely do while I am in Costa Rica is visit a rain forest. I look forward to meeting my host family and starting this experience!