Standardized testing for teachers...

Standardized testing for teachers is the most hypocritical thing ever invented. All of our courses, as teachers, tell us to check for understanding in multiple ways, that most students do not test well the "standard" way. So, while they preach to the education world about this terrific idea, they then turn around and test us. Clearly this is set up by legislators that need to hold a standard against teacher, but aren't sure how, so they create these test that are full of questions that you would never as a student at your grade level. It's just like No Child Left Behind (NCLB), which is made by legislators for an education system. No teacher gets into this profession because it's easy and you make a TON of money. You make lousy pay and it's a lot of work, but the best part is the light bulb effect. The light bulb effect doesn't occur in the testing room for me though. I stare and stare. I am diagnosed as ADD & LD and needed services in school, but I have worked really hard to overcome this as much as I can. I know my strengths and weaknesses pretty well. I feel that it has made me a better teacher since I don't learn the same way each time I have many different teaching and learning strategies up my sleeve. Creativity is KEY in a classroom. Standardized testing is my BIG weakness.

I know a great man that was simular to me when it came to testing. He was brilliant. He had the heart of a great teacher. He was extremely smart and desired to teach High School History, like me. He took Praxis II Social Studies Content Knowledge 8 times before he passed it on the 8th time. He was named Most Valuable Teacher/ Teacher of the Year for his first two years out in the field. Showing this test proved nothing.

I have taken Praxis II: Social Studies Content Knowledge 4 times now and have yet to pass. This time I went into the test with no fears. I needed to pass and welllllll.... I DID IT! I went into an interview the other day, like I told you and they informed me that I needed to pass this test to be able to qualify for this job. I was so excited when the guy told me that I had passed, I jumped up and down and asked to give him a hug. He replied with, "Well, I am due for a back surgery, so lightly." And so I did, I gave him a light hug of the greatest enjoyment in the world. ONE STEP CLOSER to becoming a teacher and having students to see the light bulb go off!