Ms. Gills? Ms. Gilly??

Gillis. Doesn't seem like such a hard last name to pronounce. It sounds exactly like it looks. But apparently for some fifth graders, Gillis is the most challenging last name in history. You see, I just started observing in a fifth grade math class, and so far the biggest obstacle I have had to overcome is getting my students to say my name correctly. This is something I wasn't prepared for. I might make a suggestion to my professors to include a lesson over this in the future. Just trying to help my fellow teacher peeps in training out.

So far, I have really enjoyed my experience at Sul Ross Elementary. I'm not going to lie, when I found out I was assigned to a fifth grade math class I freaked a little. For some reason, I swore I would never want a grade higher than third, so fifth grade was obviously a problem. Also, I am a reading/language arts emphasis which, in case you didn't know, has nothing to do with math! Knowing how to help kids learn phonemes isn't exactly useful for a math teacher. I was convinced that my mentor teacher would think I was a total dummy when I got to her class Wednesday morning. Luckily, my teacher is a saint. She told me not to worry, and that I would be able to pick up on things very quickly. Little did she know that when she was teaching her lesson over dividing, I was sitting in the back going "Oh crap, the answer to a division problem is called the quotient?" and "You do WHAT with the remainder?" Should be real interesting when I get up there for the first time to teach them a lesson.

Other than having to re-learn pretty much everything that they are learning, I really enjoy my class! The kids are great (with the exception of a few). There is never a dull moment when you are surrounded by hormonal children. My days are filled with laughter, tears, anger, and the occasional compliment when one of the kids forgets that its not cool to like your teachers anymore. That's why I like the little ones best. They still love you and are excited about showing you what they've learned or accomplished in class. Most of my fifth graders only care about who's going to be on their basketball team at recess or where Justin Bieber was last seen. Oh well, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Bieber for life!

-Stass out!