The End is Nigh... for either me or the program.

Or both. Wow. In less than a week, I'll have finished my last Pathwise observation AND presented my research and exit portfolio. I can feel the change in my blood pressure within the last two weeks or so. Ha.
So, a little reflection on teaching high school. To be honest, I was mortified at first. I walked in, and here are all these kids that sort of look like me, sort of talk like me. I see all the cliques that used to exist when I walked these same halls (well, not quite the same--they added on a building)--the goths, the jocks, etc. I stayed in "the lurker" mode of the intern experience, trying very hard not to roll my eyes at some of the things that came out of their mouths.
Eventually the realization that these are still kids sank in. They do look like me; sometimes I wanted to borrow their shoes or whatever. But they are still kids, even if they act big. They're big kids.... I can have somewhat grown-up conversations with them, and at the same time, try to be a role model for them when it comes to the inevitable high school issues.
As far as teaching, being in front of them: I had to make my voice bigger than I feel. Watching my mentor, who's done this for 37 years, speak so softly and yet still being able to direct the class, was amazing. But for little me, I needed to exude confidence before I got it.