College, University, and PDP oh my!!

So, this post may be boring, but it marks an important part of my journey. I graduated from high school in 1999, and that September started taking undergrad courses at Douglas College in Coquitlam. I took a lot of random things, mostly History and English as those were the subjects I did well in. I didn't really like college, it was too much like high school (attendance, small classes and I felt SO over that!! haha...), they never had any courses I wanted that would work together and the registration system was a nightmare. While I was there though worked in the college library for 2 semesters which was very boring, but paid for things. I shelved books, and organized periodicals and newspapers. Then after 4 semesters I transferred to SFU. This was not fun either. It was too big and I never connected with anyone, and as soon as my classes were over I would leave for home. I took a lot more English and History with a few Education classes thrown in for good measure. I knew what I wanted to be and took the classes that would get me there.

I applied for PDP in 2005, and got a letter saying that like 300+ people, I had not been accepted. Then that summer, I got a call saying they had opened up another module in Maple Ridge, and did I want to join. Of course I said, "YES" and started PDP in September. The first practicum went well. I was in a grade 3 class in Maple Ridge. Then the long practicum I was placed in a grade 5 class. It was hard, my sponsor teacher or S.A. was never around, he was doing other things in the school, so I was left to my own devices unless he was observing me. Then about Mid term I was blindsided by my F.A. and S.A. (Faculty Associate and School Associate) and they told me that they were going to put me on contract because I was not meeting expectations in my practicum and that if I wanted to pass I needed to get better at being organized, classroom management, and relating to the kids. So I was super stressed, because being on contract was not a good thing. I tried to improve, but really wasn't given suggestions, or supported, just told what I was doing wrong. So at the end of my practicum, they said that I had two options, one drop out and try again later, or extend my program for 2 weeks and go back to the grade 3 class. Of course to me failure was not an option (God wanted me to do this right?) so I extended my practicum. Of course at this point I was so tired, and overwhelmed and stressed and I got sick. I couldn't talk, I was coughing, sneezing, congested.... it was not good..... They people observing me picked on every little detail (I didn't smile enough (apparently my resting face is a frown, so I had to work extra hard to always be smiling) and  I read "Conquistador" wrong when reading a picture book....stuff like that). So I was forced to drop out. I was defeated, but they were impressed at how well I took it, cause I didn't yell, scream, put up a fight, or cry. Of course I didn't I was too shocked that this was happening to me, and wondered how this could possibly be in God's plan..... Hahaha. So I reapplied to the program, volunteered in Kindergarten, grade 4, subbed at my mom's school, and got a letter saying that I had to come to an interview to see if I was ready to be accepted back into the program.

I went to the interview, it seemed to go ok, and then I waited for a week and a half for a letter saying whether I got in or not. Those were they longest 10 days of my life!! I checked the mail everyday and waited at the window for the mail lady to deliver the mail. Finally I got the letter, and it said I was in. I started my practicum in January 2006. I was put in a 4/5 split in an alternative school in Coquitlam. (They really focused on Social Responsibility). It was a great experience. Everything they said were my weaknesses last time, were now my strengths. My S.A. was a little weird, but supportive, so that was good. I passed at the top of my class, and then the real job began. Looking for a job. This part of the story will have to wait till next time, cause I am tired of writing, and you are probs tired of reading. Plus it's really integral to my journey, so I want it to be a separate entry to give it more weight haha....now you are really interested right?

Through all these highs and lows He was there.....