Day 7 -- Student Teaching

Thursday began with my 1st and 2nd periods being weights, their Thursdays are resting game day. So I ran both periods with warm ups then had one large game of touch and go with a foam soccer ball, reducing injuries ;). 3rd period prep, 4th period watched as my co teacher taught yoga, then 5th and 6th were all mine again. The last 2 periods of the day are freshman who normally just have general PE, but on Thursdays now we have the weight room. Each class was 36-39 students with only 10 platforms to work on it split them into groups of 3 on each 4 for the run over. 1 person at a time was in the bar and I ran them through a series of barbell lifts through proper progression. The 5th period was riled up and the lesson worked, but it was an extreme challenge to keep them focused. 6th period went much smoother with knowing what to expect from the freshman.
After school ran a few errands and was able to get a 45 minute swim session in with my friend Aly. Afterwards we then went straight to the gym and had a great bench workout!
2x8-10x95 bench
3x6-8x115 bench
1x10x95 bench
3x8x95 wide grip bench
3x10x75 decline bench
3x10x25 db curl/military press
2x10x30 db pullover
2x10x25 db tricep press
8 minute spin bike cool down
Got home and took Glutamine right away then ate a little late, but overall was a great day!

Day 6 -- Student Teaching

Team Phionix made it to the HS today! Wednesday was an interesting day.. I have had a sore on my limb that I then noticed a hive like reaction breaking out on my ankle, left hip and both arms that was itching like crazy. I had to wait till the end of the day to get in and see the doctor so I managed to not touch it all day at school, which was pretty miserable.
First period I watched again then took over for second running them through a great crossfit workout. 4th period was yoga, abs, and body weight exercises in the mat room. 5th period the main gym was open so I took over and had a badminton course where they rallied and worked on over head clears and rotated often to keep them interested and engaged. 6th period we shared the auxiliary gym with another class so between us 3 teachers we split the class up and had basketball in the gym with myself and another teacher and everyone else went to the mat room.
Right once school let out I jumped ship to get to the doctor before our student teaching meeting. Doctor said they had no idea what it could be since I've not changed anything in my house, soap, or diet. So they gave me some meds to hopefully flush it out and I go back Friday to see them again.
Following, went straight to my student teaching meeting where we figured out what projects we need to complete during teaching and what types of evidence to provide. Ran home after to cook a great dinner for my roommates and myself, polenta with steamed veggies and a little pasta sauce yum!
After cooking I decided to take a picture of my food cupboard to share with everyone, I've never felt so great and energy filled thank goodness for a clean diet!

Day 5 -- Student Teaching

Tuesday was another great day at the high school. I watched first period then ran second period with a couple bone heads in there they always make that class more fun with the challenge of keeping them on task! Forth period I watched as they ran through the Geo-Mat dances in the mat room with a close out of yoga and abs. Fifth and sixth period we had the main gym to play Badminton, one of my favorites. 5th period I watched as my co teacher directed and I played with our deaf student which was tons of fun! 6th period I had the class to myself so I ran them through a quick opening to the sport than let them loose.

Body feels pretty fatigued, but as every day goes by the stronger I get as well as my body adapts to the high school full day schedule. Just gotta keep trucking and stay strong!!

Day 4 -- Student Teaching

Attempted to wake up at 530 to swim for an hour before school, but my body apparently needed another 2 hours of sleep. Had a quick breakfast bar and started first period with warming up the students for my teacher. He then had me watch the rest of the class while helping out a little with form and technique. 2nd period I had the class to myself with warm ups and the rest of the period. It was a little challenging for the students to switch to me as their teacher, I noticed a few students tried testing my boundaries with class. Overall went well though then I also watched 4th period with teaching 5th and 6th on my own again. I know these first couple times I teach will be difficult for the students to adapt to since they've had my co teacher all year, but it will get better as each day goes by.
As for my body and health standing and working 8 hours straight each day it's gotten better each day. Last week was pretty unbearable standing and walking for that long that I actually built a sore up on the end of my left limb. Over the weekend it began to heal and is still healing now. Structurally I've been struggling with neck, upper back, lumbar, and hips, but with the help of Dr. Bridgeman at Lazer, Spine and Disc I've found relief for the tight uncomfortable out of place joints. Also was able to get a great spin bike session in tonight paired with abs and rolling out that will hopefully make a huge difference for tomorrow.
For lunch today I had my plain chicken breast with brown rice mixed with mustard and siracha cock sauce and spinach mixed with my homemade black bean/corn salsa (recipe I got from my friend Chelsea Murphy MS, RD, CD).

After my workout I made a snack for my mornings that I call protein cupcakes. They normally have lunch meat in the bottom to make the cup for the egg, but I didn't have any so I based the cup with spinach, then crack the egg, add chopped red pepper, and I boiled chicken to chop and sprinkle on top as well. Bake on 350 for 17 minutes then add a sprinkle of cheese on top and put back in for 4 more minutes and boom delicious protein cupcake!! Either throw it in the microwave for 45 secs or eat it cold, both great protein snacks!
Oh and you know when you're exhausted when you find that you put your pre workout in your dish rack after using t... Wow Dork!!

Day -- 3 Student Teaching

Today was a half day with a CCR which is where the teachers meet with a group of students to plan for their future in work, school, or military. Our CCR group practiced filling out applications for the specific avenue they chose with us guiding them through it. Following our half day, most all of the staff stayed at school for the full day. For me I went to a meeting for the P.E. department where we spoke about the schedule for each period of each day which actually took quite a while. Another topic was the budget and lockdown procedures to fine tune after the recent incident at Sandy Hook. Very comforting knowing that we have a plan, but scary to think that we might use it someday..

Day 2 -- Student Teaching

Day 2 went well, was able to help out more today running warm ups and helping with technique. Had my first ankle injury today and was allowed to take care of her so I also taped my first students ankle and it looked so good!! That athletic training summer class I took definitely payed off!

After being on my feet for 8 hours I could feel my body wanted to shut down on my way home. Instead of letting it take me out for the rest of the day, I took Kolbi to the park, then went grocery shopping and cooked dinner.
I unfortunately didn't have time to get a lift in, but I plan to later to tonight and tomorrow morning to make up for it!

Day 1--Student Teaching

Today my day began at 6 am where I got up early enough to shower, eat and take care of Kolbi before I left for my first full day back in high school.
My 1st and 2nd periods are in the weight room with a Crossfit circuit twist which I love followed by my prep period. Then I transfer to other supervising teacher in the gym for periods 4-6 where we teach a lifetime sport/yoga/body works with body weight classes.
Overall the kids are awesome and both supervising teachers are great and I look forward to learning the ins and outs from them.

Stay tuned for a daily log of my experience as an amputee PE teacher ;)!