3.24.2010

I'm a REAL Texas Teacher!

Good news...I passed my Texas Licensing Exam for my (ready for this...)

Family and Consumer Science Composite 6th-12th grade Certification (quite the mouthful).
It started out rough this morning as I dashed out the door with a bowl of frosted mini wheats in hand (I know I know, it's dangerous to eat cereal and drive). I couldn't find the testing center for 10 minutes and I was a little nervous that they wouldn't let me take it if I was late. Luckily I actually made it to the testing center before the employees! The door was locked. (Which made me second guess myself again...did I write down the right address?) Then this lady carrying a trash can full of water bottles (I don't make this stuff up people) came to the door and unlocked it.

I was ready to sprint up the stairs, sit down to a computer, and get the test over with before all the information I had studied fell out of my brain. What did the employee do? She says, "just a second honey I have to go get the newspaper." Well by all means, you don't want to forget the morning paper.

Now we are upstairs and she says, "I have quite a bit of paperwork for you to fill out." I haven't even given her my name yet. I give her the form I printed out with my test info on it and she says, "Oh ok, this test...not as much paperwork as I thought." She hands me a slip of paper and says, "sign here." That's the paperwork.

I am now in the testing room, waiting for the 1980s computer to boot up (seriously I had flashbacks to MS DOS with this computer). And off I go! I'm focusing...I'm focusing...and then...what the? A guy sits down right next to me. Now I know I can't have the whole room to myself, but when there are 25 computers, do you have to sit right next to me?

Now I don't know what kind of test taker you are, but I was the kid that liked to be in the corner with my feet propped up on the desk next to me and no one around me. And here's why: not 5 seconds after he starts his test, he is reading his questions out loud. Seriously. I am sitting there trying to get through my 150 questions and I just hear this half whisper/half full voice..."welding style...inaudible...steel...cut through..."

Now I am distracted.


So I had to channel all my energies into remembering how I ever focused in high school with kids sitting all around me talking. Tunnel vision Jessica, tunnel vision. And I did it. I got through the test. I walked out to the reception area, eager to find out if I passed, and the employee handed me this:

But you know what? It doesn't matter how elaborate the message is (or isn't) the idea is still the same. I'm a real teacher now. :)

8 comments:

Janssen said...

YAY!!! Congratulations!

Also, what kind of weirdo takes the computer right NEXT to the only other person in the room? That's just rude!

Shums said...

Congrats Jess! The kids you teach will be totally lucky to have you.

Unknown said...

WooHoo! Congratulations Mrs. Shumway (Mrs. in the teacher way, not the married way)!

Guess what? I also had frosted mini wheats for breakfast. So that's awesome.

Brianna Scott said...

Awesome Jess, Congrats.
PS I would be totally annoyed by strange man. Really some people have no consideration of others.

Jennah said...

Thank you for taking me on this ride with you!! I loved every detail of this day! Love you Boo & I'm so proud of you!!

Anonymous said...

GREAT story! And congrats, Layton! Your story reminds me of those long notes we used to write eachother during class - making up stuff about teachers and other people... remember? :) Guess what!! I FOUND THE WHOLE BOX OF THEM that you wrote to me!! I haven't gone through them yet, but I fully intend to. I'm waiting for the right time - like when I need a really good laugh. Love you!

Mo and Mel said...

Oh my goodness! I miss you and your wit so much! I enjoyed reading every detail of that post and it made me laugh!

P.S. You have always been a "real" teacher in more ways than that silly test proved:) Congrats on making it official!
love you guys!

Lauren Bingham said...

So wait, they didn't even tell you your exact score? Pff lame. Or maybe it's better that way, no stress...

I used to get really bent out of shape when people would do that do me on the bus--100 other seats and you sit right next to me? Really?? I'm an Amuurican people, I need my personal space!

Also congrats!! So proud. Maybe we should eat my cake class cake to celebrate... ; )