The hardest to learn is the least complicated

I successfully completed the ATS this morning. I was feeling a bit crappy but made it through. I am still trying hard to understand the meaning of these certification tests. Some of the questions are just bizarre. I know that there has to be some sort of centralized testing for teacher knowledge and basic understanding, I am just not sure what. The two tests I have taken so far really don't do anything to prove that I am worthy of teaching adolescents. I personally think extensive on the job training would be more helpful. I worry about the young people - 20 somethings- who have grown accustomed to not having to interact socially. Think about it: how are they going to communicate effectively with students? I see so much texting that I often wonder if people even talk any more. Colleges should offer a social interaction course for teachers. You know, how to talk to students, parents, administrators etc. Nobody teaches you that. Just a thought. My next certification exam is July 17. This one will be on content. I hope it has something of substance or at leats makes me think.

Moving right along...

Tomorrow I will be taking the second of three exams I need for my teaching certification in New York. It is the secondary ATS-Assessment of Teaching Skills. Thankfully it is a morning appointment. I am a morning person and hate sitting around waiting. Honestly, I am just looking forward to finishing already. I know these tests are important but they are stressful. Not the content, just the whole "formalized test" thing" sitting in a big auditorium, the clock ticking, proctors watching. I always seem to finish early and the content isn't too difficult. It's just the atmosphere. It brings back horrible memories of high school regents exams. I promis as a teacher I will do everything in my power to help students to not be afraid of that type of testing process. I know all the steps: get plenty of sleep, eat breakfast, get to the exam site early, etc. It's still not a pleasant experience.

My 17 year old cousin is graduating high school next week. Today was her last official day of school. She just called me to tell me how sad she was and how she cried as she said goodbye to her favorite teachers. I can honestly say I had not thought about that as I work towards becoming an educator. How would I handle saying goodbye to my students as they graduate? I am a big mush and would hate to have them see me cry but I think it's almost a given. I saw many of her teachers tear up during an award ceremony last week honoring seniors with their end of year awards and scholarships. Educators have so much responsibility. To actually complete your instruction and help a student graduate must be the biggest thrill. It's bittersweet, but it must also give a teacher such a sense of accomplishment knowing they did something that truly mattered.

Goodbye Spring Semester

Wow, I really am a horrible blogger. I wonder how people who blog keep up with this stuff. Between working full time, grad school and "life" I find it practically impossible. Yet, here I am. The spring semester is almost over. The Shakespeare class with no chairs was interesting. I have a final presentation due a week from this Tuesday. The presentation is my attempt as an imaginary director to pitch a new version Romeo and Juliet to a fictitious pair of directors (my professors). With my business experience I feel more comfortable with this project. My last project I had to act out a scene with two students who were 20 years my junior. I felt awkward acting in front of the class. I know teaching is part theater, but acting while reciting Shakespeare is an extreme challenge for me. I flubbed my lines throughout worrying about my facial expressions and various physical movements. I have a whole new respect for actors. It's not easy work.

My second class was a different kind of challenge- primarily learning the discipline of writing lesson plans. I like my professor- she's a trip. Very funny and very devoted to teaching. She is really putting us through hell however-it's one of those classes you will be grateful for later on. Right now it's just painful and hard. I have taken two days off next week to devote myself to all things educational (i.e. I have to finish my homework!). I won't be taking any classes this summer, but I have 3 this fall. Lord help me. It's my last semester of classes at school. In the spring of 2011 I am scheduled to student teach the entire semester. I still have no idea how I am going to pull that off. I thought for sure I would have been laid off from my current job by now but I am still hanging on. Given the current state of the economy I know this is an extreme blessing. If I still happen to be working next spring I will delay my student teaching. It's not what I want, but I have a mortgage and student loans to deal with. Not an easy choice but it is what it is. I am sure many teachers work second jobs just to make ends meet, especially in the beginning. I hope I don't have to do that. Only time will tell.

Welcome Spring Semester

Ok, so I am a horrible blogger. I have had a month off from school and haven't written a thing. But I have been working full time and reading: blogs, journals, newspapers and books. Once school starts I won't have too much free time for lesuire reading. After the harsh cold snap we have been having in NY in the past month, the words "spring semester" warm my heart. I am looking forward to getting back in the classroom. This go around I will be taking three classes: a required adolescent health course, a Shakespeare course and English Writing for Adolsence. The health course is an accelrated weekend class. I will go for three Sundays in a row for 4.5 hours. The other two are traditional 2 hours classes that meet 2 days a week. The Shakespeare class will focus on Romeo and Juliet. It is co-taught by two professors. I am eager to see how they do. The class is meeting in a dance studio. Apparently we students will be engaged in some sort of workshop activities instead of just sitting at a desk. I am all for nontraditinal learning but if I am going to pay three thousand dollars for a graduate level class I like to have a chair to sit on. Maybe my age is showing?

Another semester completed

Between working full time in corporate America, going to graduate school and squeezing in class observations I haven't been very diligent with my blog. I barely survived Chanukah. Now it's almost Christmas and I have been busy preparing for the annual festivities. I completed my high school observations earlier this month. I am still firm in my resolve to teach regardless of my observation experience. I met so many wonderful students who truly want to learn and continue on to college. I know now, more than ever, that I belong in the classroom. My current employer will begin layoffs at the beginning of the 2010. I am relieved at the prospect of saying goodbye to my current job. The money has been good and I will admit my salary has kept me here longer than I truly wanted. Being able to pay bills and having money left over for the occasional vacation is very seductive. But now it's time to work at something that fulfills me and hopefully makes a difference in someone's life. I have one more year of classes. I am scheduled to student teach in the Spring of 2011 when I graduate. I am so happy. I can't wait!

Reflections on classroom observations

So, I spent two days with an English teacher observing ninth and tenth grade students. I was not going into this process with rose colored glasses but I was truly surprised how bad things are. The administration in this particular high school is a mess. They are so unorganized. Neither teachers or students have concrete schedules and it is the middle of October. My attitude toward the AP from last week has completely changed. She gave me a schedule for one teacher yesterday (which was incorrect) and when I approached her this morning she told me I needed to work out whatever I needed with the teacher she gave me yesterday. Her part of this was done. Nice.

Thankfully I was able to track down the nice English teacher I was working with yesterday and she had no problem with me shadowing her for the rest of the year. I told her I would speak with my boss and see how I can arrange my schedule. She gave me her personal email and told me to keep in touch.

The day was hampered by various interruptions including the PSAT which was being given to the eleventh and twelfth graders. The bell schedule was completely disrupted because they held up the test to allow late students entry. Not a good idea. The principle made an announcement during fourth period that the bell was being extended and the class I was in grew extremely restless. At one point the teacher I am working with had to block the students from leaving the classroom and a fight almost broke out between the teacher and a student. The student was this little ninth grade pipsqueak with a mouth bigger than the grand canyon. It was bad. Thankfully the bell rang. The experience left both the teacher and me rattled. I left a little early because the rest of my teacher's classes were cancelled due to the testing schedule. Now I truly know how some teachers get burnt out.

Observations Soon

To say time is flying would be an understatement. I start my observations next week. I met with the A.P. of a local high school last Thursday. To be honest I was a little nervous. The school has a rough reputation. I realized just how true that was when I saw the metal detectors at the student entrance. We don't have many of those here in the suburbs. Regardless, I liked the A.P. She was very down to earth in a comforting and practical kind of way. That was my first impression. She took a small group (4) of us on a tour of the school. She inisisted our observing experience would be hands on- we would not be sitting in a corner taking notes. She wants us to particpate and help out our assigned teachers. Not in grading papers or creating lesson plans, but in classroom dialogue and instruction. I felt kind of motivated hearing that but to be honest it will be up to the teacher I am assigned to be with. They might not be open to classroom observers. I have read that some teachers are very territorial of their classrooms. In any even it should be interesting.