When I was younger I wanted nothing more then to be a teacher. I had posters on my bedroom wall, I would decorate my door pretending that there was a competition, and my grandma devoted my dad's old bedroom into a classroom for me and my sisters to use. When people started asking me where I was going to go to college, and what my major was going to be I was never hesitant. I knew exactly where I wanted to be. When I got to school, I realize how much work this was going to be. I took multiple tests, spent hundreds of dollars on those tests, and had interviews to determine if I was going to get into the education program after all. I waited all summer long to hear back from the department.

After months of studying, praying, and crying, I heard back the news that was going to change my life forever. I got it. I was going to learn to be a teacher. When I got my course load is was anything but easy. Not only did I have 16 credit hours that I needed to take, all night classes because of the broadcast students, I had 15 days, 5 weeks, Tuesday to Thursday that I was going to be in a classroom, learning. I was extremely excited. I talked about it all the time. What grade would I get? What would my responsibilities be? The day came to sign up. The paper came to me at the back of the classroom and I looked. Most classes were full, and I only had a few options. I didn't mind though, because I have always loved older grades. I choose a 4th grade class, that was 20 minutes away if I didn't get stuck behind semi trucks on the way.

The first day came, and I wore my student badge proudly as I walked into the school. I found some of the other students and we waited for the principal. She came into the hallway with one of the biggest smiles I have ever seen. I loved the school, the principal, and the people I had seen so far. As I walked into the classroom I had to introduce myself right away. I went to the front of the room, and saw 34 students looking right at me, but I wasn't scared or nervous like I thought I would be. I told them where I was from, and what I liked to do. They asked me questions, and that was it. I watched the students the rest of the day. I was helping a student with her spelling when she told me she didn't want to do it, because there wasn't a point because phones had autocorrect. I took the students to the computer lab, where they practiced typing. I ate lunch in the teachers lounge and I have never felt more like an adult. Its true what they say. The teachers do talk about their students at lunch. Mostly good things, but if you said something funny all of the teachers will know about it. I went home, and straight to my class until 7 at night. I came home, and went to bed.

Never in my life have I been so exhausted, but I went to bed smiling, and it must have been there all night because I woke up with it too. I went back day by day, and learned more everyday. I taught the kids about erosion and weathering. I did a kids Olympics activity during recess. I yelled at kids for being too loud. I showed cool YouTube videos about sedimentary rocks. I gave spelling tests, and had a hard time putting the words into sentences. I watched kids fall off of swings, and chairs. I talked to kids about gymnastics, soccer, and football games. I hung up art projects that kids gave to me after their art class on Wednesdays. I sat in some parent teacher conferences, and learned about how some students fell far from the tree. I saw kids understand multiplication more than they ever have. I saw kids make friends, and memories. I saw a child try to write with her left arm when she broke her right arm doing a flip. I saw a student get 100% on a test when they usually had a 75%. I saw a student cry when they couldn't find their new jacket. I got more hugs then I can count. I learned 34 students names, and I loved those 34 kids more than I thought I could. I wanted them all to understand the material. I wanted the kids who didn't do their work to not have any missing assignments. I wanted the kid who came from a more crooked home than any child should, to make friends and be happy. I wanted the kids to do well, and I know they will.

Each kid in that class touched my heart, I was only there for 15 days but my life was changed. I knew what I wanted to be a teacher before, but it has never been more clear to me. Those 15 days were a stressful, joyful, heartbreaking, and a heartwarming experience. Never have a laughed, cried, and smiled more in a day. Never have I been able to multiply large numbers together easier. I am so glad I chose to be a teacher, and I would tell anybody that it is so much more rewarding than anything else you could choose to do. I would tell anybody to spend 15 days with 4th graders, because you will never be the same. Thanks kids, I will miss you.