New Beginnings

For the past year, I was a graduate assistant at MTSU. I graduated in May with my Masters and am continuing my ESL add-on endorsement. While I am taking my last class this semester, I am also a first-year ESL teacher! I have close to 30 students I see each day in grades 2 - 5. I work with an amazing and supportive group of teachers who have helped me adjust to being THE teacher. :) A big difference from student teaching and I must admit at first it was very overwhelming. However, when you get 30 hugs and see the "ah-ha" moments from the students, you realize that the stress from paperwork, evaluations, etc. is all worth it! I also am in a school where the ESL population is mainly Hispanic students and am grateful to have a full-time EA who speaks Spanish fluently. The biggest challenge I have so far is being able to communicate with the parents. I am using the little bit of Spanish I know so that way I communicate directly with them, but use the EA for most translations. I am excited to share my journey with you as this year progresses!