Time Flies

These aren't supposed to be used as "diary posts" but it seriously amazes me to think that I am wrapping up my junior year of college. The expression "time flies when you're having fun" is one of the most accurate quotes I can use to describe my past three years in college. Although there were absolutely points throughout each semester where I wanted to rip my eyes out and drop out of school school completely, I will never forget how much fun I had and the memories I have created. When I first came to college I thought I had most of my four years already planned out; I was going to major in education and math, play lacrosse, get good grades, and get involved. Although this is almost exactly what I have done, I could have never predicted how much it would impact my life.

I came to college having no intention of joining a sorority, because I was going to be playing lacrosse and my team was going to be like my own little sorority. For two years this held true. However, I lived with a girl who was in Delta Phi Epsilon, and each year I realized I wanted to be a part of it more and more. When I finally joined my first semester junior year, I seriously had no idea how much of an impact it would have on me. The friends I've made and the person I have become has amazed even me.

As this semester comes to an end, I'm ending a chapter sooner than I had anticipated. No, I am not graduating college, but things will be different next semester. For the first time I am living off campus and have decided to commute from home. My roommate, who has grown to be my best friend and my sister will not be there every night to talk to. It sounds like something small, but you truly don't realize how much you appreciate something until it's gone. My roommate and I will absolutely keep in touch and still see each other, but nothing can compare to the past 3 years I've lived with her. It is crazy to think that next year I will be starting my senior year of college. Time has absolutely flown by, but when I stop and look back, I am extremely happy and proud of everything I've done.

Emotional Development

Depending on what school district you're teaching in, teachers are going to have a variety of different types of emotional development they are going to have to address. If they are teaching in an upper class or suburban area, then they need to be prepared to address the needs of students who might not see their parents too much or children who are very used to always getting their way. In this environment, it is likely that there will be kids who come from very wealthy backgrounds. Nevertheless their home life might be difficult and they let their emotions go at school. It is possible that some of these students almost never see their parents because they are always away on busy or doing some type of work, so instead they are raised by a nanny. This could take an emotional toll on some of your students, and it could cause them to release their emotions at school. As the teacher you need to be prepared how to handle this, maybe give the student time to themselves if they need to step out of the classroom, or just letting them know that you, the teacher, will be there for them the entire school year. A similar scenario goes for students who are used to getting their way all the time at home. As a teacher you need to make sure the classroom is a community, and that everyone realizes no one is better than anyone else in that classroom. There will be students who get angry because they did not get their way. The teacher needs to give the same consequences to all students, and make sure the students understand that everything you are deciding to do is in the best interest of everyone in the class.

If teaching in a low class, urban school district the emotional needs might different. It is possible that these students are coming from single- family homes where they might not see their parent much either because they're always out working. Unfortunately, these families usually can't afford nannies, and children start staying home by themselves at a very young age. This could have an emotional toll on some students, because they aren't comfortable with their home life, or they're seeing things at home that they are too young to be seeing. It is important that, in the classroom, the teacher makes the children feel safe. The students need to understand that in this classroom they can't be hurt and they are equal to everyone else. Each student gets treated exactly the same and no one student is better than another.

Teachers need to be ready to address the different levels of emotional development the students are going to bring into the classroom. The best thing the teacher can do is let the students know that their classroom is a community and that they are all equal. This will help the students feel comfortable about coming to school and being in your class