Students, Tulips, and Goodbyes: A look back at 2013

As I sit here in my 5th grade classroom between classes I realized “oops, so I guess I forgot about my blog for a year.”

But let me explain because I swear I have a good reason for it! The school year 2012-2013 has been one hectic year. I can’t even believe that 2013 is almost over. It went by so fast!

This semester (Fall 2013) is my last one as an undergraduate at the College of Saint Rose! I can hardly believe it. This fall I have been student teaching and loving every minute of it. I am currently in my first week at my second placement in 5th grade at Blessed Sacrament in Albany NY. I love student teaching! It is a lot of work- A LOT of work- but it is worth it. The experience I have had with my cooperating teachers and connections I have been making with students is unforgettable. At my first placement, which was with 3rd graders at TOAST, each one of my students made me a card on my last day. I don’t know much but I do know that I am made for teaching!

So, where else have I been the last year? Working, taking lots of classes, and doing lots of volunteer work.

In May I was given the honor of being on the 2013 Albany Tulip Court!

 

This means that through the office of Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings, the Tulip Queen and her Court run a Literacy program that is implemented in select Albany City Schools. It is a very thorough and select process in which women from the ages 18-23 go through a series of interviews. Women are chosen based on their leadership in college and community service in the Albany area. Many Rosebuds have been on the Tulip Court- more recently 2012 member  Nicole Dama.  This is a full year commitment (May 2013- May 2014) of work in which we serve the city of Albany by attending many different events, going into schools to interact with students, running the Literacy program, and volunteering with different organizations. It has been an absolutely incredible experience that I honestly would not be apart of if it wasn’t for Saint Rose which, did I mention I can’t believe that I am finished with my undergraduate career?

My time at Saint Rose has been one for the books. I have gone through many ups and downs but I have also overcome so many challenges and achieved a lot. I am so grateful for everything I have gone through! I cannot thank my friends and mother enough for the countless support they have given me through my journey. I do not know where I would be without them.

 

As I end my final post for the Saint Rose blog, I leave you with the words of television’s favorite teacher George Feeney “Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do good.” Never let your struggles defeat you and never once let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.

 

Thank you so much for reading my posts all this time and special thanks to Kayla Germain for starting all of this up! It has been a wonderful 4 years and I am hopeful to continue my time here in Graduate school, fingers crossed!!