Becoming "Houston"

I have been teaching math to 9th graders since September. Most of you know that math is not my forte. You may also know that teenagers are not my forte, as most of them are taller than I am. Combine those two, and what do you get? A semester full of stress, that's what! I'm supposed to know these math concepts so well that I can break them down into smaller, easier to learn chunks, and teach them to my struggling students. Right. That sounds like a fantastic idea! While we're at it, why don't I just go ahead and take over mission control for NASA. I can handle it!
 The semester hasn't been as horrible as I imagined it would be. The students have been pretty good to me, for the most part. Yes, they are the same height or taller, but I think I've finally got that "adult" look down. As for the math, well, turns out I could've been a wonderful actress! Most of the time I am just pretending that I know exactly what I am doing. Luckily for me, we're working on pre-algebra, not insane Math I. For the most part I understand this stuff. And I've learned a few things along the way. Like the names for parts of an algebraic expression. And how to teach combining like terms 5 different ways (they finally get it!). All in all, it's been a fun experience! I know now that I can handle working with teenagers, though I still prefer younger students. I know now that I can teach math, as long as I prepare myself. I know that I can creatively teach math (did I mention teaching combing like terms 5 different ways?). I know now that I am the confident teacher that I need to be. I am Miss Mair, and I can do hard things, like teach math to 9th graders!
 Now, what I am thankful for: tomorrow morning I have my final observation. The big one, that everything rides on. I hope it goes well! After that I have one more class period, then I give my class back to their teacher. I am going to miss those crazy kids and the way they make me want to pull my hair out. I am going to miss seeing them and learning with them. I am thankful for the experiences I have had with these students. I am also thankful that it is coming to a close. That means I'm one step closer to student teaching. It's right around the corner, and it will be even more hair-pulling than teaching one period of math every other day, but that means that I am one step closer to graduation and getting a grown-up job! Yikes! Hooray!

This is something that I saw that sums up my experience.

Or when I finish teaching my math lesson to 9th graders