Praxis Shmaxis!

To become a licensed teacher in the state of Arkansas, you are required to pass the Praxis series of exams. See what I think of all these tests here.

The tests are three stages of exams designed especially for teachers. The first is very much like an ACT test. The second is a three part test covering specific content knowledge of your subject, lesson planning skills, and the principles of learning and teaching. These tests are completed before you can receive your initial teaching license from the state. The third test is given in the first two years of your teaching experience. It requires a state designated observer to come and observe your teaching skills in your classroom. My Praxis III was given today.

I've been working with a specific class all year and designated them to be the class I used for my observation. They are the most well-behaved class in the school, and their teacher is my mentor teacher, so that helped with some of the observations we've had to do. They were so cute today! We practiced coming into the classroom yesterday, to make sure they were sitting in the right seat and not causing too much commotion as they entered. As they came in to the room today, they were all perfect. One student even pulled me aside to tell me his mother, the band director, had told him to be extra good today because we were going to have a special visitor in the class and that I shouldn't worry about anyone being bad because he had told everyone about the very special visitor. How can you not smile at this?

Anyway, the class picked up really well on the lesson, and we got through everything I wanted to get through. I had even gone through and answered some of the interview questions earlier this morning, so I knew I was prepared. I signed off on all the paperwork and will receive my scores in the next few weeks. Keep me in your prayers! I really don't want to have to go through all this again next semester!