Pages 1 - 35 TWYH

Abstract: Erin starts student teaching. She realizes very quickly that teaching in Long Beach is not exactly the perfectly, pre-planned situation she had in her head. All the multicultural awareness she thought she had is suddenly not that simple. Her students aren't threatened by her and don't feel a need to respect her. She has to earn that respect.
Erin realizes the kids don't know about the Holocaust, she plays the cross-the-line game, and plans a field trip. The class goes to a Holocaust museum and Erin visits where they grew up. Erin buys books for the kids because, in all honesty, no one else will. Respect is established and Erin is granted the opportunity to teach for the rest of the year.
These pages also give us a little info about how she met her husband and about her father's general apathy to her chosen profession.


Reflection: So I really like this book. I like the fact that, even though I plan on teaching in Maine, the story and information provided in this book connect to me. Beginnings are always hard. I see it all the time as an R.A. Starting the year off right and getting to truly know the people you are working with isn't as simple as it is described. I remember my first day in my practicum placement and that was scary, so I can only imagine how hard it was for Erin beginning her student teaching in a school district with such a reputation. I am amused by the fact that Erin and I share the same classroom name of "Ms. G". I don't think I'd have the courage to do some of the things she does, but then again, who knows. She seems to bend the rules a lot and put a lot on the line for her kids, and while that is scary and risky, I think it makes a better teacher. I also enjoyed the fact that we both seem to value "The Catcher In The Rye". I look forward to reading more.