Another Test

Well, here we go again. I thought I was done with school and studying, but I've decided to go for yet another piece of my education and certification. Next month I will be taking the test for Middle Grades Language Arts/ Reading. Why I am doing this? Just to see if I can.

To be serious, I found out this week that I am highly qualified to teach Junior High Language Arts, but I don't yet have the Highly Certified designation. The only logical step is to go for it. Why not take a chance if I have the credits to give me the opportunity?

The school I am REALLY hoping to get a job in has students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. It only makes sense to be able to apply for any position that may come available. Through substitute teaching I have come to really enjoy the Junior High School aged students. They can be a big pain, but they can also be a lot of fun. Has my dream of teaching 5th grade shifted? To be honest, I'm not sure. I think I will be equally happy being a classroom teacher in anything from 4th through 8th grade.

Starting today I will be in study mode, trying to brush up on the knowledge that I am sure is locked away somewhere in my brain. I am not confident I can pass this test, as many of the Language Arts classes I took were in the first round of college I attended. That was back in the 1990s. I AM determined, however, and I've proven that determination can take a person a long way in life.

A year ago in March I sat down for the most nerve wrecking 8 hours I've experienced in my life. I took a test that gave me the right to call myself a teacher in the state of Arizona. Three weeks from today I will be sitting in the same building taking a similar test. This time I will be proving my ability to teach Junior High Language Arts. Wish me luck!