Fourteen weeks. That is how long I have spent working with 110 crazy and eclectic students who like to try my patience and push every button I didn't even know I had ... but, I wouldn't trade the past three months for anything else. I cannot believe that my time is up as the curtains close on this last act of the drama that has been my undergraduate experience. Ladies and gents, it has been a wild ride with more than enough struggles; however, in about three weeks, I grace the stage to receive a Bachelors of Science in a career field I adore. What more can I ask for?

When I started this 14 weeks back in January, I didn't know what to expect. I was nervous - eyes twitching and jumpy - because I was a new face infiltrating the lives of angsty teens who told me time and time again throughout this experience how much they hate English. Boy, were they in for a treat.

As you all know, I struggle-bused my way through Shakespeare with 15-16 year olds, and they hated every second of it. However, it was a learning experience, and I am not deterred from teaching the likes of Lear again in the near future.

After those rough four weeks, I finally felt the students warm up to my presence at the podium. We talked. We laughed. I let them know that their voices mattered when it comes to their learning.

A huge part of student teaching for me - actually a huge part of the reason why I chose teaching as a career - is changing the way the education system works. My experience as a student in high school was rough. I noticed little nuances that I knew needed to be targeted and ratified for the lives of future students.

Now, I'm fresh meat in the world of education; I know I've got to gain experience and do my research, but I have a plan. One of those little nuances was the fact that no one, not one of my teachers in high school, ever asked me what I'd like to read or what I might be interested in doing. While there are specific learning standards by state, there are an abundance of engaging and innovative activities that can be accomplished in the English classroom. Trust me, I know this because Pinterest and teacher blogs have become my number 2 and 3 sidekicks, after coffee of course.

Not to toot my own horn, but to toot my own horn because I am so proud of this lesson, I made my teaching as engaging as I possibly could. For example, a few weeks ago, I polled my students in conversation style and asked them what they would like to do in English class during my last four weeks. When I mentioned possibly doing a week of detective fiction, students gave me a multitude of ideas, one being a version of life size Clue. Yes, like the boardgame.

Now, I know I've talked about my crazy schedule from this past semester; so, you all know that I did not necessarily have the time to plan an in-depth murder mystery. But, I did it anyway.

I transformed the classroom into the boardgame, sectioning off desks as particular areas of the mansion with associated props. I provided snacks in the dining room and had props for students to adorn as they completed the Murder at Madame Mink's Mansion. It was so much fun to see all of my students, even the most challenging, participate in this activity. It was also a challenge for me because I had to be on my A-game all day, making sure I was switching up the result for each class. I know my students, and they like to spoil the fun for others at times.

I will never forget that lesson; it forced me to remember why I do this, why I love English. When my honors class came in with their own props and my 7th period stayed in character for over an hour, the validity of my choices was made known.

Most say that student teaching is hell, for lack of a better word, and while at times the same thought crossed my mind, I'll never forget these wonderful students. Don't get me wrong, they were a pain in the you-know-what, but overall they were a joy to work with.

I truly forgot how funny teens can be ... how they can make you bust out into a fit of laughter when you were actually about to scold them for gossiping instead of reading a poem or writing a creative story.

I've been home, in my hometown, for a few days now, and I feel out of sorts, imbalanced. Teaching has become such an integral part of my life. I'm not used to having time on my hands to read and write for fun. I miss the fast-paced nature of switching gears every hour and being addressed as Miss Disabella.

I cannot wait until I have a teaching license and a job at the ready, because I am so excited to jump start my career as a high school English teacher. This semester taught me to reflect in the best way possible while teaching, and most importantly, to do those necessary reflections after the fact as an effective practitioner.

Before leaving school last week, I wrote cards for each of my class periods, and as I sat writing kind words, I saw flashes from the highlight reel of student teaching. Teaching truly taught me, and will continue to teach me, how to embrace each day. I came out of my shell these past three months, and I am thrilled to continue growing throughout my career.

One of my students wrote me "An Educator's Ode," where she reveled how I managed to reinvigorate her love for poetry and creative writing. Now THAT, is the ultimate goal. It's not how good your test scores are or how stringently you follow boring old teaching methods; it is entirely rooted in the fact that educators can truly make a difference in even one child's life. I will cherish this ode for an eternity as a reminder of why I chose this.

With graduation in a week and a half, I think it best to relax for a while and continue reflecting, one day, and one cup of coffee at a time. Until next time ...