My Introduction

I am currently in Term 2 of 4 in the CalStateTEACH program for my Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential. CalStateTEACH is an online program and is geared more towards students who are already in the field. Learning experiences are from hands-on experiences in the classroom with children. The only time CalStateTEACH student-teachers meet are once a term on a Saturday. My first term was split between 1A in the Fall 2008 and 1B in the Spring 2009. It was a tough road then, and even now, it's still not very easy. I guess the hardest part is not so much the school work, but just finding the time to actually study and do the assignments. I find that surprising because I usually have the most difficulty in understanding material and assignments. In this academic pursuit, I am finding that the content interests me and it is somewhat easy to understand. My significant other tells me that I've found my calling and that I should stick with teaching, even though the outlook on available teacher positions here in California doesn't look very promising.

Term 2 ends in August and that month is approaching surprisingly fast. But then again, this whole year is going by fast. We're already in the month of July!! Didn't we just celebrate the New Year?? Anyway, I've got to get going with my assignments this term. It's hard to keep myself motivated, though. My faculty member who is supposed to 'advise' me, does encourage me, but sometimes I think he doesn't really care. In this type of program, I would expect that an advisor is there to oversee the student-teacher, teach the student-teacher, help student-teacher with teaching experiences, and be a wonderful resource (with the money I am spending on this program, since it is considered a graduate program, that's what I would expect to receive, right?) However, I've been told that he's too busy with other students to actually keep track of what I'm doing as a student and that I should be able to stay on track myself. I respect that the program sees me as an adult and that I shouldn't have to be babysat. However, if the advisor sees that I haven't been turning in my assignments throughout the whole term, then it's that advisor's responsibility to follow up and find out what is going on. Am I dead? Am I in the hospital in a coma? Did I leave the country? Never did I receive such concern from the advisor, and that is my right as a PAYING student. And, being that this is not your typical go-to-class-and-listen-to-a-lecture program, I believe the advisor has that responsibility to the students.

All that aside, however, I am happy with the program and am somewhat satisfied with my advisor. To his credit, he helped me get back on track. (I'm only sayin, ya know???) I definitely don't want to fall into that hole again. CalStateTEACH is a great program for anyone who is already in the classroom doing instructional aide work or already teaching as an intern. I know it'll get tougher on the road ahead.