By: Clarissa Sanchez

Staff Writer

All of the CAST-Teach students went to various elementary schools in November to get a chance to teach a short lesson and learn more about how to manage a classroom. My experience was something I’ll always remember.

One funny thing that happened on my visit to Ed Cody Elementary School was when a second grader named Emily asked me, “How are potatoes grown?” while sitting down at lunch eating her french fries. At that moment I had so much excitement in me because she and her friends wanted to talk to me.

After lunch, I walked all 22 students to the playground by myself. I remember thinking to myself that I couldn’t believe where I was and that I was actually in charge of watching second graders play. 

While I looked around, a little girl named Athena came up to me and said “When I first saw you I thought I looked just like you. We both have curly hair!’’ Then she gave me the biggest hug. I almost lost it. I wanted to cry.

When she said that, I was thinking  the same thing. I felt like she was like me: her short curly hair, how small she was compared to all of her friends, and how shy she was at first.  She was one of the most memorable students. 

It was almost the end of the day and we were heading back to the classroom. I was walking with the kids holding a little boy’s hand. I walked into the classroom and the teacher in charge, Heather Perez, called me over and said, “OK, ready to teach your lesson?” I felt frozen and said yes, but inside I was so scared. CAST taught and prepared me to make the reading lesson plan based on “Turk and Runt” and how to talk to elementary students. Teaching for me was quick and easy, but the feeling of all 22 students staring at me while I told them about the lesson is something I will never forget. 

The “Turk and Runt” lesson continued what they had already started with their teacher. They were so excited to hear that I was sharing more about the book.

My lesson went better than I thought it would, and the students loved the book and activity. I could tell they loved having me in their classroom.

After I was done with my short lesson I had a couple more minutes in the class. I saw CAST teacher Brandi Clay through the door window. As I could see her trying to get my attention to leave, I knew this was it: I had to say bye to a wonderful teacher and her class. I wasn’t ready to leave.  I couldn’t believe my first day as a teacher’s assistent was over, I was so nervous at first because I didn’t think the students would like me, but they really loved me. 

As I started to take down my lesson and grab my items, I heard students ask, “Can you come back please? Will you be back tomorrow? I will miss you tomorrow.”  I don’t think I was prepared for how much the second graders would actually love me and would want me back in their classroom.

My heart was breaking as I started walking to the door and all the students started giving me hugs. By this time I had tears in my eyes. They all sat down and said, “Bye Ms. Sanchez.”. I couldn’t handle everything that happened that day. As soon as I walked out of the classroom I started to cry. The feeling of second graders saying goodbye meant so much to me.

I will forever remember every student I taught on my first ever experience as a teacher’s assistant. I wish I could have told them that all CAST students are scheduled to return  May 16.