Place Test Results

Drum roll please . . .

The resultsof the PLACE test: General Science, as it pertains to Mrs. Greene, indicates that she

Has NOT Passed the exam.

That's just the kind of news I want to hear on a beautiful day. I needed 220 to pass and only managed to sweak out 178. And I really thought I did well, considering. Clearly, this shows you how much I know. I know even less when it comes to science.

I guess its time for a re-evaluation of job searching and future goals.

Man does a drink sound good.

A testing test

Today I took the PLACE exam. It's a test you need to pass in order to obtain a teaching license. It basically is validation that you are competent enough to teach this subject area. I took the test for general science, as I want to teach secondary science. I studied 3 weeks for this waste of time.

75% of what I studied was NOT on the test. Did you hear me? I got asked stupid questions about nuclear fusion. On what planet is this practical? Some questions were so easy, I don't know why they bothered to write them and others were so obscure and ridiculous, guessing was the best answer. The whole time I was taking the test, I wanted to scream because I was so pissed off.

Overall, I think I did well. If I don't pass, I will have missed it by the slimmest of margins. Wish me luck. Results will be posted April 28th.

The Envelope Please

And this year's newest Denver Teaching Fellows is . . .

Some other schmuck.

I received my official "Dear Jane" letter today. I'm kinda bummed I wasn't selected, but when God closes one door, he opens another (or a window, depending on what you grew up hearing). So there are a few science teacher positions that opened up with Douglas County (my 1st choice) and I found an Anatomy/Physiology instructor position for Concorde Career College. Hopefully one of this avenues will lead me straight to a wonderful career path. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I will be accepting hugs, lovely emails, and ice cream for consolation.

Haiku and Woo

So, as part of my journey to become a licensed teacher, I alsp applied to the Denver Teaching Fellows in conjunction with my application to Douglas County. Today was the big interview event. Here was our schedule:
9-9:20 am Introductions
9:20-10:40 am Sample Teaching Sessions (group)
5 minute break
10:45-11:30 am Writing Sample and Group Discussion
5 minute break
11:35-12 pm Program Overview
12-3 pm Personal Interviews (each interview is 30 minutes)

There were probably 30-40 canidates interviewing. We all were interviewing for hard to place subjects (math, science, special education and early childhood education) in low income Denver neighborhoods. There were people that flew in from New Jersey and Washington state. We were broken into groups and shuffled away. In our groups, we taught a 5 minute lesson on any topic for any grade level (we prepared this ahead of time). I did my sample on the Haiku poem for 11th grade. I totally nailed it and got a lot of positive feedback from other canidates. It was so much fun being up there.
Then came the writing sample and group discussion based on a provided scenario. Since I'm pretty efficient at writing, the writing sample was a piece of cake. The discussion was irritating. It is a given that one or two people will monopolize the conversation and make sure you know where your place is. I made two contributions and called it good.
Later, in my personal interview, I was asked why I didn't contribute more. I'm an observer and when I speak, it's because I have a point or idea to contribute. I'm not going run my mouth for the sake of hearing my own voice. My personal interview when well, but I did run into some sticky areas. All I can do is put it in God's hands. I'll let you know in two weeks when they notify the lucky canidates.

It's Official!

Just wanted to let yall know I've officially been accepted to the Douglas County Waiver Program. I have my letter of eligibility and just need to look for a job within the county. I am approved to teach secondary science. When I secure a job, I'll be ready to teach in the fall.

Wish me luck.

School of Thought

So, after much discussion and deliberation, Eric and I have come to the decision that I will pursue my alternative teaching license. We spoke with Aurora, Denver, and Douglas County School districts. Douglas County seems most promising as it has a waiver program. If you have 24 semester hours in the content area you want to teach, then you can be considered for the program. But they are only looking to fill hard to fill areas with this program- math, science and special education. After being accepted, then I would have to find a job, which should pose few problems, and be hired. I would then be able to teach, while going to school to get the license.

It all sounds a little squirrly, but with my master's degree, I could be making a nice chunk of change while I change the world through young people. I would be looking to teach science as physical education has a vast pool of candiates that I would have to fight against. I'll do my best not to blow up the kids. I don't want to repeat the Vest Bomb from 8th grade, for those of you who remember such a tale.

I've ordered my official transcripts and will be applying sometime next week. I'll keep you posted.

A job at Childrens?

Today I went to a career fair at the Children's Hospital in Denver. There was nothing in my field but I did make a great contact with a senior human resources gal. I gave her my cover letter and resume and she said would pass it along to the appropriate people. Although, I have little hope of anything coming out of this, the fair was very swanky.

They had a veggie and fruit tray, a tray of bite size cream cheese and meat, a huge round of brie (which was quite tasty), cookies, and drinks (virgin all, this is a work environment). The most amazing thing, other than the meat carving station, was the hospital itself. If my child ever got sick, Children's would not be a bad place to visit.