AuburnChick's Adventures

So, I’ve alluded to the fact that I will be returning to school soon.  I figured it was about time that I explain myself a little bit.

You might remember that in the not-so-distant past, I went back to school and finished up that long-sought-after degree.  I majored in Social Sciences and minored in History.

I knew all along that I would be using my degree to teach, but I couldn’t major in education because there was not a online program for education majors, and I needed the convenience of internet classes because of my hectic life.

The State of Florida will allow people with Bachelor’s degrees to teach under temporary certificates if said people have passed Subject Area Exams.

I passed the Social Sciences 6-12 and the English 6-12 exams, which is why I am allowed to teach English.

But, the stipulation is that degree holders must complete an alternative education certification program and pass the General Knowledge and Professional Education certification exams within three years of passing their subject area exams.  If they don’t, they have to retake the exams, which cost upwards of $200 a pop.

Folks, those tests were h-a-r-d.  Not only am I brain-dead, but I am also cheap.  My Social Sciences certification expires in September.  I do not want to study for it again, nor do I want to fork out $200.

I waited to enroll in the education program because it is somewhat costly, and I had no idea how long it would take me to find a job.

Well…the time is here.  I cannot put it off any longer, so over the last few weeks, I have busied myself with ordering transcripts, paying application fees, and buying books.

On January 5th, classes will “officially” begin.

I even have a student parking sticker on my car, which Chicky laughed at.

Heck – I even got a student ID card.  I might as well take advantage of student discounts at local businesses!  I’m paying for it, after all.

I will be attending classes at my local community college.  The classes are set up in a hybrid fashion, with most of the work done online.  I will have to go in one Saturday a month to attend two-hour sessions per class.

The program I am completing is a nine-class, twenty-one credit deal.  Students attend class during eight-week mini-terms, which makes life very crazy indeed.  Here’s a breakdown of the classes:

I decided to go the difficult route and try to get in all of my classes by June.

This means I will be taking three classes every eight weeks.

While teaching five grades.

Somehow, I will have to find time to study for the General Knowledge Test.  The math will get me if I’m not careful.

I will also need to study for the Professional Ed test.

Both need to be taken before June.

In between January and June, I will have two sets of finals to prepare and grade…not to mention scores of tests and quizzes to give out as well.

Can you say stressed?

I’m working like crazy trying to get as much of my lesson planning done ahead of time.  I feel badly for my students.  I don’t want their education to suffer.

Balance and time management will be key.

I would really appreciate your prayers.

Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: certification, teaching |