The Close of Student Teaching

So I have just a few more days of student teaching left. I am ready to go. I am ready to relax. I counted all my time and I've put in 609 hours in 16 weeks. Now granted, that is around 40 hours a week, but many of those hours occurred within a few weeks. I was working a little the weeks before I started teaching and ALOT the weeks I taught. I really hated working under close quarters with someone that was constantly criticizing me. As much as I hate to admit it, I often cracked under pressure. I forgot what I was saying, what was going on, what I was talking about. It was terrible. My brain is fried. It's time to relax. But going back on the freedom concept. I feel that once I have my own classroom, I will be a better teacher. I am confident that once I can do my own rules, I will be a great teacher. I will also have the authority to control my classroom. That was another problem. I never had authority. Some of it was my fault. I was weak, I didn't research or plan enough, I never found my voice. Some of it was my CT's fault. Whether it was dropping things on me last minute, or correcting me in front of the class, or asking me about something which I have no idea. Either way, that is something I won't have to worry about once I am in my own class. These wistful feelings are usual for me. I am always one that is ready to break free from restraints. I left home as soon as I was 18. I initiated my much needed divorce. Now, I can't wait to be a teacher. Today I taught freshmen and I had a lot fun. I'm not sure if it was easy stuff or if it was because I was closer to their level. But I clicked more with the freshmen than I did with AP or Honors. And that's good. Because I will be teaching those kids when I start. I am excited about my future.