End of week 1

It is now time to breathe and decompress. What a whirlwind of a week! It was an atypical week filled with meetings. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to attend them though. I attended a staff meeting, a parent teacher conference, two IEP meetings, and I observed the Vision coordinator for Pinellas observe and critique my supervising teacher! I did get some time with the kids, which was nice and refreshing. My caseload has 9 students that range from Pre-K to 10th grade, low vision to totally blind, and typically developing to multiple impairments. The kids are super cute and neat. On Monday I will be orienting one of the students to their new classroom, and I plan on taking over the acitvites for this and already have activites planned (in my head at least). So much going on, and so much to pay attention to. My supervising teacher is so well grounded and comfortable in her skin. I love watching her teach. She's great with the kids, and working with other professionals.
Ok, laptop battery is near dead.
Later my friends! Love and miss you all! Let me know how your week was!!!
-Andrea

Day 1

I really believe I lucked on out in already somewhat knowing my supervising teacher. It made today much, much easier. I was really nervous when I pulled into the first school, and she was right behind me. She made a little space in her van for me with a crate and made me a little portfolio! So sweet and welcoming! She did her best to make me feel at ease and not to worry.
This week is to just get to know eachother and the kids. I'll get to go over their files, and of course, meet them. I ahve a feeling this is going to be a really great experience. I am waiting to hear back from my classmates. I am anxious to know about everyone's day!
I know everyone will have more to report at the end of the week, but it's just all so exciting!
I hope I have the same enthusiasm by the end of the week!!!

Before

This is intended as a place for me to document my internship and to keep all updated about my experiences while I am away in New Zealand. Hopefully it will help another intern some day!

Monday is the official start of my internship. I will begin with my Orientation and Mobility internship for 10 weeks then off to New Zealand for another 10 weeks for Teacher of the Visually Impaired internship. Figuring out the paperwork for Permits in NZ has been a challenge. Hopefully, I'll have it all figured out before I start on Monday.

My Orientation and Mobility training will take place here in Pinellas county. My supervising teacher is great, and I am so glad I was able to observe her some before the internship. The kids I have met so far are neat, and I cannot wait to meet the rest of her caseload. I hope I am ready for this. It's going to be a challenge, but I'm looking forward to it, and it puts me closer to finally having a career. Crazy. I didn't know people went to college to obtain a degree to have a career, I thought being a college student was a career.