Testing...

    As of Friday, my class has completed two of their six CRT exams.  They are done with the language arts portion.  So, for the next four weeks math and science will be our main focus.  I wish that I could make kids understand that one day they will look back at their years in school and wish that they had tried harder.  I know that I certainly did!  But the truth is that you can't make them care, even if you really want to.

    For the last few weeks, I have been sending home review homework.  This basically consists of our block tests and a science fill in the blank page.  All the students have to do for the science part is read a selection and fill in the missing words.  They don't even have to remember anything.  They just have to read.  After two weeks of grading these, I am become worried about our CRTs.  So much guessing is happening.  It is very frustrating.  I hate that we still have four more weeks of testing.  I don't know if they, or myself, will make it through to the end of the year.  Six weeks left!

Nothing New...

There really isn't anything new to report in my life.  I am still working on my requirements as a probationary teacher.  You have to meet four main requirements as a new teacher:

• Pass the Praxis:  PLT exam
• Complete the E.Y.E. portfolio
• Work with a mentor teacher for three years 
• Complete three years of JPAS cycles (four observations and two interviews with the principal per year).

I have passed the Praxis, completed the portfolio, and worked with a mentor.  All I have left is next year's JPAS cycle and then I am done!  I finished my portfolio this week.  It was easier than I thought it would be.  I have to show evidence for five different teaching areas, explain why I chose the items, and then had the principal sign off on them.  I am glad that I got it done this year; next year they are increasing it to ten items.

As far as my personal life goes, I am still dating.  It is frustrating though and sometimes I feel like quitting.  I have decided not to renew my online dating account once it expires though.  It is too expensive for me right.  Plus, things have slowed way done and there always the same people on there.  So, I will probably take a break from that side of things until the next school year starts or something.  My friend Tracie is getting married in June and she is convinced that I will meet someone at her wedding.  I guess we will see.  ;)

Praxis: PLT Part 2

I got the news yesterday.  I passed the Praxis PLT test!  I am so glad that I don't have to pay the money and study like crazy again.  All I have left to do this year is one more set of observations and my EYE portfolio.  Once I get the portfolio, I will be able to chill a little.  It is my last hurdle.  So, yeah, one more year of being provisional and I will move to my level 2 license.  Unless I go for my master's degree, which I might, I shouldn't have any more tests that I need to take for my career!

For those of you waiting for updates on my dating life.  Here it is...I hate dating and boys are stupid.  Done and done.

Praxis: PLT

I am taking the Praxis: PLT (Principles of Learning and Teaching) exam tomorrow.  I have been studying non-stop for about 2 1/2 months now.  I have all these facts and names of theorists floating around in my head.  I just hope that I can keep them all organized during the test tomorrow!  I am really nervous about this test.  It was expensive and there is a lot of information on it.  I need all the prayers that I can get!  I think that the worst part is that I have to wait a whole month before I get the results.  I went to a study class the other day.  When they told us how long we had to wait for our scores, I said, "So, either we will have a really good Christmas, or a really bad one?"  I am keeping my fingers crossed.  It was an expensive test and I do not want to have to take it again.

In spite of my nerves, I wish it was tomorrow already.  I just want to get it over with.  I am not sure if I can fit anymore information in my head.  I just want to take the test and be done with it!  I also get to drive for about a half and hour to get to the test.  And it is supposed to snow tomorrow!  Well, at least I haven't been sick all week and have a 103 degree fever like I did with the last major test that I took!  I did have parent-teacher conferences this week (which went pretty well--although one set of parents told the principal that I was being too hard on their son.  She told them that she knows there son and has seen me teach him.  She told them that he was behaving exactly the way that I said he was and that I wasn't being too hard on him.) so that cut into my studying time.  I just hope that I can let the test go as soon as it is over and start becoming a normal person again.

Speaking of normal, the dating thing is still happening.  After much debate, I decided to renew my online dating account.  I wasn't going to; but then changed my mind and thought that maybe just trying it for one month wasn't enough time.  I had a date last week that went really well.  By really well, I mean that it lasted about 11 hours.  I didn't think that it was going to last very long.  We were just supposed to meet for hot chocolate.  We decided to get lunch instead (it was around 1 at the time).  We talked for awhile and then went to get hot chocolate.  Before I knew it, it was 7:30 pm.  So we decided to get dinner.  The dinner lasted until about midnight.  He was really easy to talk to and I felt very comfortable.  As apposed to my last date, which was fine overall.  I was just ready for it to be over.  That one still lasted for 2 1/2 hours though.  So, yeah, dating online has been an interesting experience.  We will see where it goes. ;)

I think that is the latest on my life and all of its drama.  I have a pretty one-track mind right now.  I hope that changes by 1:00 pm tomorrow when I am done with this dumb test!  Take care all!

LDS Singles...

Okay, I did it.  I joined LDS singles.  I was sitting around thinking how I can really meet people right now.  We only have, about three male employees at our school, and they are all married.  Everyone in my single's ward seems really young; plus they never seem to ask anyone out, ever.  So, I signed up for a free account.  When you do that, you can see if people send you a message, but you can't read it.  So, people started sending me messages and I just got so curious!  I signed up for one month.  Just to try it out.  I am trying to keep an open mind.  If all else fails, at least I might walk away with some funny dating stories to share on this blog!  Here is your first one:  The site has something called "Flirts."  You can send a flirt to someone that you like.  It is just a quick emoticon with message like "Wink," or "Smile."  One of my first ones was from a 59 YEAR OLD.  I don't think so...

I other news.  I finally received my Praxis study guide.  I will studying in every spare moment that I have until the test in November.  I don't know why I decided to suddenly become social!  I don't have the time!  I love to hang out with my fellow teachers, and I have made a couple new friends in my ward.  Look at me coming out of my shell!  Maybe it will make the stress of work seem a little less daunting!  Sorry this one is short!  I have to go study!