I am INCHES from Phase two now. BUT still kinda stuck in first STEPS. They are seriously baby ones. I feel like progress is slow as cold butter in a tube.
I ordered all my flash cards for studying the Social Science CSET... ( I ordered, AP US and WORLD History and the CIVICS that folks news for citizenships - total cost was under 100 bux for all) yeah I gave up on the English CSET for now. I did speak with someone who recommended I buck up for that at a later time but for now I just needed to pass ONE of the CSETS out there to get in the program. I can dig that. So I have a friend who LOVES history and is willing to quiz me on the stuff so it's all good. I'll go with History.
Here is how I see it, with the English Test (which is admittedly challenging) they get the information from WHO IN THE WORLD KNOWS WHERE I mean it's not really contained information. So my thoughts are this: they can grab ANY great literary writer and ask you questions about them... too much ... just too much! I mean maybe they will use just what is covered in the schools or California Standard but who can say... the practice test was like.. WHOA out there.
The Social science test on the other hand, US History, World History, Civics... all contained in ONE text book that I can borrow from the school or ANYWHERE and get the same names same general line of study... no NEW information or UNHEARD of players involved... nothing OBSCURE... it's in there! So I just borrowed a few older editions from one of the teachers I know and there is my study guide book.
So the only DOWNSIDE is that with that, I have to get a Social Science credential and I have to INTERN as a Social Science teacher and that isn't as WIDE OPEN teaching position as English teacher, for jobs.
Nonetheless we are in a crisis... so I'm not concerned.
Besides, HR and the school will use me where they need to and these folks in HR can make job magic happen if they need to... I believe that. PLUS, later I can take the English exam (I test better when the stakes are not as high) and add ONE more class to my curriculum and get a credential in English as well. I want to add in Sign Language as well and maybe SPED... the latter is a HUGE commitment that I'm not sure I want to take on.
As I mentioned before ... or I didn't but anyway, I am doing this (becoming a credentialed teacher) for my ministry and the more I take on the less time I'll have that outside obligation. So I need to stay VERY focused right now and only take on what is NEEDED to accomplish my real goal - the ministry.
The real CHOOSING time will come in the fall when I start my internship. So, if I manage to get in an ENGLISH CSET by then - then we'll play the game and dance the dance but for now.. I'm focused on Social Science and it is what it is.
THEN came the interview... The school rep calls you and ask you things like "why do you want to teach" "how would have handle this situation or that situation." I guess I nailed that one because she told me over the phone I was recommended highly. Wish I had had those answers a few years back when I applied for an internship - they sent me rejection letter like 6 weeks after not even SORRY that I wasn't accepted haha... but I actually FELT differently this time than I did then. I FEEL like a student of teaching now ... not a student of learning.
So yeah, I made it through that and then I got the YAY you're in... ALMOST ...letter - screeech.
What now? Oh we still have to do the Financial Aid dance and get the OFFICIAL transcripts in. HEY I got real grumpy on that part. I hate sending for transcripts they are expensive and take forever to arrive.
... what's this?
Now they go digitally to the school of your choice in as much as 24 hours or 3 to 5 days as in the case of the SLOW school where I got my BA? They are only 5 bucks? Or 10 as in the slow school? YAY ME. Easy Peazy..
So yeah on Monday which is pay day I will get the other two sent over and call it a DONE ENROLLMENT packet... and await ANOTHER you're in ALMOST letter.
Okay... then MAYBE I will be moving onto PHASE TWO finally...Picking classes and the financial AID package. THEN I will be in.. I think.
Then I can start bucking up for test day!
I plan to register for the test during winter break. Starting with World History and CIVICS... now this is unless the US History gets less muddy for me then I will do the two histories together and save the CIVICS for last...
More to come on that...
Look ma I'm ALMOST a real teacher now. hehe.
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