My Wish For You (The Goodbyes Of Student Teaching)

An End Of Internship Gift That Has My Heart So Full 

Writing this final farewell blog came much faster than I thought it would. As I reflect back on my Student Teaching Experience at Cumberland Valley High School, nostalgia has the sappiest of country songs running through my head. Honoring true 'Taylor'ed For Teaching tradition, you best be braced for plenty of song puns. 

If you have stayed in tune (hah) with my fifteen week journey in Dauphin County you know that there have been struggles and successes, growing pains and growth spurts and a whole lot of memories made. That being said, there is a whole lot of reflection that is about to go down in this blogpost. If you're anything like me you'll want to grab a warm blanket, make yourself a cup of hot chocolate that is mostly marshmallows and whipped cream (or a tall, cool glass of chocolate milk if you're feeling spicy), and settle in for the outro (hah x2) of my Student Teaching Experience.

Don't Blink

Like I Said... Big Ag Mechanics Girl

Life goes faster than you think and that's not a cliché, it's just straight fact. The end of Student Teaching seemed forever away at the beginning of this experience, but it's here and each of my classes have accomplished SO MUCH (I suppose I have accomplished a lot too). When it comes to classes, I have had a lot of them by ways of comparison to a few of my other cohort members. With five preps came a lot of panic at the beginning of this experience, but I now feel confident in my ability to take on such a challenge in the future. 

Ag Power & Technology was the first class that I picked up as a Student Teacher and the class that I was most dreading. I had very little experience by way of Ag Mechanics in January and the thought of teaching students about a topic that I was learning along with them was scary. At the end of this experience, this class has been one of my favorite classes to teach. While it was also one of the hardest to plan for, these students made my day (almost) everyday with smiles, jokes, and a willingness to try something new. They also taught me the importance of positive student to teacher relationships which I adore building and growing. Whereas I was sure I did not want to teach Ag Mechanics during my professional career, this is a feat that not only seems feasible, but also enjoyable. I am by no means an expert in the area, but have a little more knowledge about small gas engines and have a smidge more of a claim to the title "Big Ag Mechanics Girl" that my cohort sarcastically gave me last year.

You Butter Believe Food Science Was Awesome.

Advanced Animal and Food Science was the second class that I took on. As it was very lab heavy, I was able to learn how to manage timing and allow for cleanup at the end of a class period. A class of nearly all juniors who knew each other very well, this class gave me plenty of opportunities to practice redirecting conversation back to content. Being the rockstars that they are they gave me a lot of grace when it came to learning how to chunk instructions for a lab. This class also gave me a great appreciation for Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) which I am excited to begin my certifications for this summer.

Animal Science has always been near and dear to my heart. At Cumberland Valley I taught two CASE Animal Science courses. This allowed me to navigate adjusting instruction for two groups of students. As one of these classes was one of my rowdier groups I was able to work on being assertive when it comes to shenanigan's in the classroom. I also just loved getting to teach content that I felt confident in and look forward to the possibility of teaching Animal Science in the future.

If I had no clue what I was doing in Ag Power & Technology, I definitely had no clue what I was doing in CASE Biotechnology. This was the last class I picked up and first I gave back and was challenging when it came to content with a large focus on math and science. I remember enough from college level biology to be dangerous with the topic, but teaching biotechnology labs was a different story. With lots of help from Ms. Romberger, this class taught me the importance of preparing for classes and setting up for complicated labs. Consisting of five seniors, this class also gave me experience working with a small group of students.

Plant Science Was Also Where My Favorite Lesson Took Place! 

The class that I carried right up until the last day of Student Teaching was my CASE Plant Science class. This class is perhaps the class that I am most proud of. From barely speaking to each other (let alone me) when I first began teaching this class to having class conversations before and after the bell, the growth that we have experienced together truly warms my heart. I believe my lessons for this class also improved greatly and love seeing my students engaging in the content.

Some Corduroy After My Own Heart.

Stepping out of the classroom, Cumberland Valley has an insanely active FFA chapter. Some of my favorite memories as a Student Teacher have included seeing my students blossom in the blue and gold. From celebrating our Agriscience Fair winners in class to making Tik Toks (I'm hip like that) with my SLLC crew to seeing my students shine as the teachers for our Middle School Ag Club, there was rarely a day that was not dedicated to FFA. When Ms. Romberger told me before I began Student Teaching that there is something for everyone in Cumberland Valley FFA, she was not kidding. While managing a chapter as active as Cumberland Valley is crazy chaos, I love that each member could find their niche in this program. Looking to the future, I hope to provide my students with as many opportunities to diversify their learning and personal growth as possible. I also hope to provide my future students with the option to cultivate Supervised Agriculture Experiences (SAE) outside AND inside of my classroom. Cumberland Valley did a fantastic job allowing it's students to use the facilities on campus to grow animals, develop maple syrup, and manage plants. While I have originally thought SAE was always done outside of school, Cumberland Valley opened my eyes to the possibility of on campus projects and I really want to take that into my own program. I want each component of the Three Circle Model of Agricultural Education to hold equal weight in my future program and I am so blessed to have been immersed in the powerhouse that is Cumberland Valley to learn how to do just that.

These Are My People

I Have So Much Love For Each Of These Individuals! 

Of course I have quite a few people to thank for 'giving me everything they've got and then some'. Firstly, I am so grateful to my friends and family for their love throughout my college career. You are only as strong as the people picking you up when you fall down and I have a few superheroes in my support system.

My cohort is a group of some of the most talented, supportive, and hilarious people that I have met. I have loved getting to watch them grow and learn from them through their unique experiences as Student Teachers. If you know me you know that I can be my least biggest fan. My cohort has continuously lifted me up inside and outside of our major. I am so blessed to have made connections with such fantastic individuals and cannot wait to finish out the year strong with them on May 8th.

Without the guidance of my professors and mentors at Penn State, I would not have been able to give my all to my students. Thank you for preparing me for my profession, providing me with advice and words of consolation, and giving me incredible experiences to help me grow as a professional. I will be forever thankful for your contribution to my character during my time at Penn State.

Last Day Of Student Teaching Picture!

My University Supervisor, Carson Letot, has been an incredible mentor through this experiences. One of the most personable people I have ever met, he has guided me, supported me, challenged me, and looked out for me as I have traveled through Student Teaching. I am so grateful for his advice and touched by his genuine interest in my success during and after my time at Penn State. He also provides Harry Potter themed encouragement which makes him the coolest University Supervisor in my book (You're a wizard, Carson!).

Words cannot express how thankful I am to my Cooperating Teacher, Darla Romberger. She is a dedicated teacher, thoughtful mentor, persistent encourager, and helpful colleague. I have learned so much from her over the past fifteen weeks as a teacher, professional, and community member. She is my biggest role model in education. I am so excited to join her profession after graduation where I may continue to learn from her and look to her for advice. I am going to miss having her literally in my corner during my first year of teaching, but know that she will be just a phone call away. Darla, thank you so much for making my Student Teaching Experience a positive, meaningful, overwhelming beautiful time of connection and growth. As always, you're the best Cooperating Teacher ever. I also need to give a big shout out to Jeanne Case. While we did not get to interact much being in separate buildings, I have loved soaking up her advice on the importance of work life balance, copying down all her adventurous culinary exploration suggestions, and hearing her journeys through the great outdoors.

Finally to my students at Cumberland Valley, just like that Rascal Flatts song, my wish for you is that life becomes all that you want it to. You have filled my heart these past fifteen weeks with your silliness, hard work, and dedication to the blue and gold. I absolutely loved being your Student Teacher and cannot wait to hear about your successes in the future.

"Please Don't Post That In Your Blog Ms. Halbleib"... Oops.

Never Wanted Nothing More

Thinking back to January, the end of this experience seemed at the end of a very long, scary tunnel. I began this experience with a lot of anxiety about how I was going to transform from a student to the 'best teacher ever' (or even just an acceptable teacher) overnight. I thought that I would greet the end of this experience having shed a lot of tears and ready to run for my life toward graduation. As the only thing I have cried over has been this farewell and the tunnel that I walked through to get to Week Fifteen ended up being bright, exciting, and way too short, I have been dreading writing this post. I learned very quickly as a Student Teacher that the 'best teacher ever' does not exist. The 'best teacher ever' represents a goal, the apex of teaching and provides something for me to strive for with a growth mindset. I plan to work towards this goal as a life-long learner knowing that I will never know everything, have the best lessons ever everyday, or connect perfectly with every student. What I can do is my best and I plan to do so as I graduate Magna Cum Laude on May 8th from The Pennsylvania State University and begin my next phase of life.

I'm A Dutchmen!

A few weeks ago in the heat of interviewing for a multitude of potential teaching positions near where my fiancé will be working after graduation, I had a moment of sheer panic. I felt like I was never going to get a job that would work for both myself and my family and it broke my heart to think that I might not be able to teach after I graduated. After Student Teaching at Cumberland Valley High School I have realized that I have 'never wanted nothing more' than to be an Agricultural Science Teacher and that has been one of the biggest blessings of my life to date. Speaking of big blessings, I no longer have to panic about life after graduation! On May 16th I am excited to be joining the Annville-Cleona School District in Lebanon County as their second Agricultural Science Teacher. I am ecstatic to be joining this team and cannot wait to take on my first year in the best profession ever.

Before I go I wanted to say one last thank you to all of you for journeying with me through my Student Teaching Experience. In the words of Billie Holiday, I'll be seeing you.

'Taylor'ed with love,