Kiss Your Brain!

I am just so excited today-I have really and truly been on cloud nine for the last 14 hours. At 8:30 this morning, I found out that I passed all of my requirements, and I am now officially a Nationally Board Certified teacher. It took me 18 months of blood, sweat, tears, and more tears, but I did it. I was so convinced I would fail. I found out on Wednesday that the board would be releasing the scores on Friday morning, and I didn't tell one single soul that I would be finding out, because I was dreading telling everyone I didn't make it.

So, when it popped up on my computer at school this morning, I screamed in surprise and happiness, and scared the ever living daylights out of my quietly working students. When they asked what the matter was, I told them all about it, and one of my little girls said, "Mrs. Kleffman, you are so smart, and we are so proud of you! You need to Kiss Your Brain!" (This is what I make them do when they have a particularly fabulous answer or solve a problem). Which was so sweet, and I was so emotional, I burst into tears. To have my students be proud of me? What could be better?

I have been teary on and off all day. Mostly because I did this whole thing to prove to myself that I could, to walk outside of my comfort zone, and to show myself that even though I am now a wife and mother I am also still Christy the girl who loves to teach. To have those things reaffirmed to me was awesome. I have been saying prayers of thanksgiving all day long. Thanking God for my gifts, because without him, I would not be a teacher. I am thankful for the mission God gave me in life. To help kids, whether they are my own or mine through my classroom.

THANK YOU GOD!

I am going to spend the rest of the weekend Kissing My Brain, because darn it, I am PROUD OF ME!

C'EST FINIS!

My brains were mashed this morning from 7:45 until 11:00. The test was the hardest exam I have ever had to take.

There were six sections, and all six were situational essay questions that had several parts. I had only 30 minutes to answer each section. I've always felt like I am a good standardized test taker, and I've always finished timed sections early. NOT so today. I went right up to the deadline every time.

The test I took was for early childhood educators, and two of the sections were on topics that I would never teach to a K-2 student. I am not sure that I agree with the questions asked, but I did my best to answer them. These two topics were so off the wall, and what I consider to be too advanced for my level of student, I haven't ever taught them, or even really thought about them since college. So, I am not feeling terribly confident about how things went. Three of the sections I feel great about, three I am worried about.

The kicker? I found out today that I will not find out scores for my exam or the portfolio I submitted in January until DECEMBER 31st!!!!

I guess I need to work hard to put this to bed and not worry about it. Easier said than done. The good news? I AM DONE!!!!! No big projects over the summer, except lazing in the sun. I can't wait!

Nervous Wreck

In about 20 minutes I am off to take my National Board exam for teachers. I am a nervous wreck.

Luckily, my awesome husband let me go to bed at 7:00 last night. I don't know why, but I was so COMPLETELY exhausted and tired yesterday I felt dizzy.

At least I am refreshed this morning! Let's hope it helps.

I can't wait to be done with this whole process. Only 6 more hours and I am home free.

More later-wish me luck!

Can I Still Think on My Feet?

I just spent the last hour preparing for my upcoming testing session for my NBPTS certification. They have an online tutorial that you can do ahead of time to prepare you for the format of the test, which is on computer. Unfortunately, it doesn't give you any sample questions.

There are several sections to the test, in which they apparently give you situational essay questions to answer, with a 30 minute time limit for each section.

I never felt nervous taking standardized tests in high school or college. I felt secure in my ability to take tests and to remain calm during testing. I usually passed the first time around with a score I was happy with.

It's been so long since I have had to do anything like this though, that the closer it gets, the more nervous I become. Do I still have what it takes? What if I have no idea how to answer one of the questions? I am a little nervous taking this as a private school teacher. Because we don't have the funds available to public schools, I don't get to go to a lot of continuing education inservices or opportunities like I did when I taught for the public schools. I don't feel like I am on the cutting edge of the education field anymore. I am terrified I will get asked about something I haven't been exposed to because of where I teach. Can I still bullshit my way through an essay?

I wish I could somehow snatch up my 20 year old self and transport her to the testing center on April 25th. I'd feel a lot better if she were taking the test.

Holy Test, Batman!

Oh my golly I am SOOOOO nervous! I just scheduled my test for my National Board Certification. I am going to have my brains fried on April 25th. FOR SIX GRUELING HOURS!

I have not taken a test that long since the ACT in high school. My stomach is rolling, and my nerves are already a wreck.

The thing that scares me is that there is not a whole lot you can do to prepare. They provide you with an online tutorial so that you can familiarize yourself with the format of the test, but there isn't a whole lot you can do to prepare for content. And what's more fun that walking into a 6 hour test blind?

I am going to go throw up now.

C'est Finis!

This morning I drove all three of my boys over to my mom and dad's house for the day. My wonderful parents had offered to watch them so that I could have an uninterrupted day to work on finishing my portfolio for National Teacher Certification. I was SOOOOO thankful they offered. It gave me the motivation to get started and just get it done. I was so overwhelmed at the thought of having to sort through all the directions and finalize everything, but knowing I had to use my day wisely kicked my butt in gear and helped me to get it done.

I have to admit though...as I drove away from their house, alone in the car as I never am, I had the intense urge to GO SHOPPING! TAKE A NAP! WATCH TV! BE LAZY WITHOUT THE KIDS! I am never, ever, never alone and being so made me giddy.

I resisted temptation though and worked the whole day through. Eight hours later, without even stopping to eat (I got in the ZONE!) I am finished. I just have to wait for my principal to sign a couple of documents and one thing to arrive in the mail, and then I can ship it out.

This is really the only gift I needed for Christmas. I feel so completely free not to have this project hanging over my head anymore. Oh the choices for freetime! I might sew, or read, or even watch TV-ALL WITHOUT GUILT! Fabulous freedom!

I did learn one really important lesson. I am so NOT at a good point in my life for starting my masters degree. That was my original intent, to get started once I finished certification. My kids need to be older, or I need for Jeff's hours to be less before I try that goal. I won't forget about it, but I am not going to drive myself nuts either.

In Which I Chatise Myself

I have a confession to make. I am hoping if I make it publicly it will spur me to action. I am not usually a procrastinator, but I am doing a seriously good job of it in relation to my portfolio I am supposed to be working on. I am working for my National Board certification for teachers, and it is due in March. I realize that's not tomorrow, but I have a lot of work to do on it. I need to get my act together. At the beginning of the school year, I put it aside for a bit to get some major projects for school out of the way. And then...I never went back to it. To tell you the truth, I am more than a little sick of it.

So, in order to get it out of the way so it won't be hanging over my head any longer than necessary, I am announcing to you, dear readers, that I WILL get it done by December 31st. Done meaning complete and in the mail. I don't want to have to think and worry about it anymore.

So feel free to bug me about it, kay?