How Has This Shaped My Identity?

Well, to start off, I have never had much interaction with urban children, nevermind teaching them algebra or addition. I don't feel totally prepared to be student teaching in January, but I do feel more comfortable. I have been surprised at many things, like a kinder-gardener doing math at 2nd grade level with some traits of 6th grade level. I never thought that "under-achieving" students could start formulating algebraic inequalities in 4th grade. But not all were good surprises, like finding out that a 4th grader couldn't read, or finding out a 3rd grader was struggling with addition. I guess my point is that there are so many different levels that students are at, mentally and socially. But I've also learned that in a good school, in a good system with administrators, teachers and specialists all working together, that a good deal of learning can be done, students and teachers.  Through reading about other people's experiences, I have learned that it does "take a village" and that not all teachers are awesome, and instead of judging, to reflect on it and learn from it. Not that I didn't doubt this before, but I have learned that it is a lot of work to be a teacher, but if you put in the work, and have a mutually respective relationship with the students, teaching can be very rewarding. I have finished my obligation for this class, but I have already talked to the teacher about continuing until the end of the year, and starting again in the fall.