Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Teacher Talk Tuesday

I didn't mean to post twice today! Pure accident! But I'm happy to announce that I have joined the monthly teacher talk hosted by Nicole of Bloom and Jamie of Southern Simplicity. Every Tuesday I will post about teaching, and it is a way for teachers in the blogging community to stay encouraged in their teaching endeavors. I can definitely use all the encouragement I can get!


Tell us about yourself: What you teach. Why you teach. Where you live.

Well, for those of you who may have stumbled across my blog, my name is Jasilyn. I am currently a substitute teaching in the suburbs of Cleveland because I haven't been able to land a full time job. I received my dual degree from the University of Cincinnati in history and secondary education social studies. I am licensed for 7-12 social studies. I am able to sub for all grades, but I usually prefer to stay with the 6-12 graders. I'm just not good with little kids. I am currently going to Cleveland State to receive my ESL endorsement.

The why I teach question is kind of tricky. In some way I always wanted to be a teacher. When I was younger I'd dream about having a class of my own. In high school that kind of changed. I loved design and wanted to become an interior designer. I'd watch HGTV and fill notebooks full of ideas. It was until I went to visit the University of Cincinnati that my mind was set on teaching again. UC has an amazing design program. I knew without a doubt that I wanted to go there, but I didn't think I was good enough to get in (story of my life). Afterwards, I decided that I really wanted to be a teacher. I knew I liked older kids, so high school was where I knew I would be, but I was really unsure of whether to go the English or social studies route. I always loved both subjects, English a little more, but again, I didn't think I was good enough to teach English. See a pattern here?

Throughout my time at UC I knew that God had placed me where I needed to be. I absolutely loved my classes. My Schooling & Teaching in America professor my second year of college really got me to believe that teaching was where I needed to be. There was nothing my entire time in college that told me I was pursuing the wrong profession. It truly was God's plan for me.

I student taught in Cincinnati public. It was definitely a culture shock in a way. I grew up in a very white middle class suburb. There was little to no diversity. But I absolutely loved it. I had an amazing mentor teacher who encouraged me every step of the way. I learned so much from him. The students were a challenge at times, but I would be lying if I said I didn't cry on my last day. My student teaching experience was actually the reason I started this blog. You can read about it all here.

When I couldn't find a job I moved back home to the Cleveland area. I dislike subbing, but it's a good way to keep me in the classroom. By chance, I happened to pick up a 3 day subbing job for an ESL teacher in one of the districts I was subbing for. I really had no idea what was in store for me when I chose it. To be honest, I had no idea what ESL was. If you are unfamiliar with it it stands for English as a Second Language (or ELL -English Language Learners if you want to be politically correct). They are the kids whose native language isn't English. I absolutely loved the kids in her classes and I loved being there. She actually requested for me to come back and sub for her classes because the students had such a positive experience. After being with her students I inquired about being an ESL teacher and ever since she has given me a lot of support.

Although I am constantly in a state of war with myself and not happy with where I am at, I believe God put me in a subbing position to be introduced to ESL. I have to trust that it is His plan.

2 comments

  1. Thanks so much for linking up! That's great that you're getting your ESL endorsement; I have mine and I am so glad I do!

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  2. I think that you will be able to learn SO much subbing!! Maybe that will give you an advantage when you have your own room. :) So glad that you are linking up!

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