Placement Mishaps

What do you get when you mix four eager student teachers, a misinformed principal, a county approval, and a scrambling post-secondary administration?

A disaster better known as a placement mishap.

Instead of what was supposed to be our fist day in observations, three of my colleagues and I spent the morning in a conference room with an apologetic principal and wholly confused placement coordinator. It is interesting that simple miscommunication caused so many people such a huge headache.

Later in the day, we were informed that our placement in the high school had been denied. Oh, brother...

This got me thinking about communication, or rather, the simple miscommunication which is oftentimes the culprit of absolutely dismal results.

Take, for example, some of the greatest literature dramas of all time: Romeo and Juliette, A Tale of Two Cities, and How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days ;). With better communication, death and confrontation could've been prevented.

Alas, I am no Juliette, and I still have my health. So for now, mild frustration and grad school angst will have to suit me.

FREEDOM!!!

This freedom from school isn't as bad as I made it out to be at the beginning of the summer. 6 week Masters courses are a beast.

A beast that I successfully conquered. From my initial calculations, I got all A's (ok some are A-, but who is counting?). Hooray for School!!

Last Week of School

I am feeling fabulous. Why? I'm starting my last week of summer school.

I realize I have so many blanks to fill in, but here are some key lessons I've learned:

1. Stop worrying. Seriously, it is a waste of time. God said it once, and I should have listened.

2. Perfection is overrated. Stop worrying about being perfect and just get it done. While you might not get the BEST grades in the world, your graduate program is about the experience. Surviving is part of your degree.

3. Sleep. Stop feeling guilty about having a life outside of grad school.

4. Manage your time effectively. Deliverables first--readings second.

5. You won't be able to give 100% everywhere, but you'll devote 100% of yourself in different areas of your life. Learning to juggle the responsibilities and remaining sane is important.

6. Mothers are the most incredible humans on the planet. Not only my mother, but the mothers in my program. They've all shown me what results from true faith and persistence. The strength that God gifted to women is unrivaled and unbelievable.

7. Group work will tell you a lot about your future colleagues. . .

Saturday Night...

Aaaaaand I'm studying.

Does anyone think I look strangely like the girl on the cover of this book?

Anyone find irony in the fact that I'm attempting to learn about human learning?

Dramatic Chipmunk

All I really need to know, I learned from Justin Bieber...

Seriously, take a minute to think of the most successful actresses and musicians that you know: which ones come to mind?

If I had to make a list I would include these four gems:

The Olsen Twins (double dose of genius)

Miley Cyrus (proof that daddy isn't a one-hit-wonder)

Justin Beiber (The boy knows what the girls want...young and old)

Let me explain.

The Olsen Twins made their fortune as kids, riding on the coattails of their debut in Full House. They created an empire with their royalties from their movies, merchandise, and clothing line. The two became some of the wealthiest people in the world at the age of 12. And WHAT are these angels doing now? Whatever they want to. Heck, they don't even have to shower!

Miley Cyrus was produced from her initial desire to be in the spotlight, her father's smarts in the business, and the magic of Disney sitcoms. Above all, it was her father's knowledge of how to succeed and give the public what they want that has pushed Miley from rising star to super star. If any man can support a family off of the royalties of "Achy Breaky Heart," you know he's excellent with money as well. People may think she's on the highway Britney's tragic end in stardom, but I disagree. Miley is a teenage girl; she's making mistakes and the public is watching. However, with support from both of her parents (TRUE support, not overbearing manager support), the sky is the limit for this 17 year old. I can see her having an illustrious career as a pop star for AT LEAST the remainder of her 20's. With the money she'll have after an almost 20 year career, can you blame her for retiring at 30?

Finally...

Justin Bieber. Is there anything more to say? I realize that for all intents and purposes he is a re-branded N'sync or Backstreet Boys, thanks to the genius of Usher. But I'll have to admit, there is something special about this young kid. With the magic of songwriting, he's managed to be introduced to the world as a lovesick little boy with hits like "One More Time," "Somebody to Love," or my personal favorite, "One Less Lonely Girl." I'm 24 years old and I even find myself swooning over the possibilities that there is a man (boy) who cares about telling someone "one more time" that they love you, or searching for "somebody to love." It is genius. The music industry has once again created a teenaged-boy into the perfect Romeo. Where were they when I was 13? I'll tell you. They were thinking about making out. Justin Bieber is, in fact, thinking about making out--but Hollywood has created him into the perfect package of romance and deceit. After all, what's the truth when you hear that you're going to be "one less lonely girl.

So what are the take home messages for a grad student like myself...?

From the Olsen Twins, I've learned that a little bit of talent can go a long way.

From Miley Cyrus, I've learned that your support network can make or break your career. Surround yourself with the people who will be there through everything.

From Bieber, sometimes acting the part can get you farther than just wanting the part.

In other words--I've got to use what I've got, surround myself with positive people, and fake it until I make it in this foreign world of standing in front of the classroom, rather than sitting in the classroom.

Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?

Do you ever have a day where you just truly can't focus?

Where pensive participation is replaced by ambivalence and yawning?

Anyone? Anyone? I just need a little bit of reassurance on this one...