Feeling the need to write...

It's 1am and I don't feel like going to bed. It's funny how that, in the early morning hours (Hahahha..that made me sound like a morning person for a minute there, eh?), I feel more energized to be creative, etc. Sometimes, it's almost like I'm making myself stay up, though.

I have a good soundtrack at this hour: DecembeRadio is keeping me company :-).

Here's a brief (haha..let's just see) rundown of this past week:

• I applied at Mardel, Family Christian, and LifeWay
• I interviewed at Mardel; the mgr at LifeWay is out of town til Tuesday
• I felt like a dork when the mgr at Mardel gave me a math test
• I found out that the teacher certification prgm runs throughout the yr, so if I decide this is something for me, I can jump in anytime
• I got contacts and have worn them all of 2 times (contacts + Amy's early morning eyes don't equal a good start...can't even get them in!)
• Thought about taking my resume to Women of Faith next week (which would now be "this" week)

I'm feeling sort of blah right now..a frustrated blah, but I dunno why. Sometimes, I feel like I live in a box and I just need to get outta there! I'm really finding that I need a creative outlet.

I've been seeing a Christian counselor. Did I say that already? Yeah. Had my 3rd visit today. Eh..it's ok. She's ordered some vocational tests for me to help in finding some direction. Not one meeting goes without relating something to my Mom, which is always good for a cry :p. Today, we got to my mom AND my kids in the Dominican Republic, so that was a LOT of fun :p. I guess it's just good to talk, though. I shared my spaghetti analogy with her today ;-). I wonder what she's thinking when we're done?

Well, good night, guys. I've talked long enough....sigh.

MMMMMMAYDAY!!

Oy.

I gotta think that God has an excellent sense of humor.

I had a brief meeting yesterday with a representative of the teacher certification program I've been talking about. Yes, my science classes (Though heavily PE oriented) will count. Yes, they really need science teachers. Yes, it's a very lucrative discipline in the teaching world. No, I really don't have all that much time to decide as I NEED TO REALLY PIN IT DOWN THIS WEEKEND!!!

*in best Scooby Doo voice* "Uuuhhh??" "Ruh-ro."

I'm so frazzled, I dunno what to type first!! Hehehehehe...

I'm not at peace with any of it (then again, I'm not often at peace with any decision-oriented thing...except maybe dinner).

Here's the timeline:

I need to fill out an application and online interview ASAP ($50).
I need to get 3 references ASAP.
The orientation for science teachers is next TUESDAY.
The career expo/job fair for candidates is next WEDNESDAY.
The deadline for registering for the TeXes (test required to be able to teach) is next THURSDAY.
The study session for TeXes is June 3 (We were planning on driving back from Alabama on that day).
The TeXes test ($117) is June 10.
Science training is a weekend in June (5-8pm).
$450 training charge is due after application is processed. There's a $3200 internship fee and some others here and there. They deduct the $3200 out of your paycheck once you are hired. If I pass the TeXes (and a science pre-test to even get into the program), I'll get certified. I can teach without passing, but on a probationary basis, I think.

What I'm looking at is 4-8 life science or 9-12 life science. (because that's what is needed)

PE would be so much easier :p. They reserve all those type classes for coaches. I've already been told that the Biology needs at one school also involve coaching or cheerleading sponsorship. ACK.

I really don't know....

She said it would be very hard to find an elementary job.....

Dillon and I will talk about it later tonight, but mucho prayers will be appreciated. One of the last things the lady I spoke with told me was, "People shouldn't do this if they're just needing a job." I need to really explore my motives. I know that I'd be studying my rear off trying to relearn everything from 9th grade to college biology just to be prepared to teach it.

Thanks!

Hmm...

Well....

Hello, readers! Not much is going on, but I thought I would update, nonetheless. You know me: wordy, wordy, wordy.

Actually, the office chatter has taken a serious detour so, I'm writing in order to focus on something else!!!

The PE job I was eyeing is now off the list. I guess it was filled.

The lady who was supposed to call me yesterday did call...only it wasn't til this morning and she called 5 minutes before I was to be in class!! She said she was out yesterday, so she didn't get my message til today.

She sounded pretty sure about my science classes and that we can count the higher-level "PE" science classes toward the required 24 credit hours. I dunno..I also mentioned that I was interested in elementary and PE. She (of course she is the contact person for the science dept) said that science teachers are in greater demand and there are virtually no PE jobs and also that elementary level teaching positions are very competitive.

As I have pondered this, I've come across maybe MY idea of what I'd like to teach. Then again, when I think too much, I start doubting!!!!! Anyway, I could see me using my love for medicine and my background in health to teach a myriad of those disciplines to kids who are TRULY interested in it. Ha. How many kids are truly interested in learning when they come to school? Maybe a handful. I'll take those kids. Send the rest to PE ;-). Nah. What I'd like to be able to do is have them learn without them REALIZING it. To me, that's the mark of a good teacher. I dunno if I can do that or not....but I might like to try. I wish I could teach PE too, though. I like that kind of stuff, as well.

Hmmm...

Then again....I just don't know what I'd do with upper-level kiddos. There is SO much disrespect going on in classrooms these days AND, if a teacher so much as looks cross-eyed at a kid, he or she could be fired!! What is UP with that?????

Running to the Light...

Well,

I just wanted to write a brief update to let you guys know that I'm still hanging in there ;-). I still am not sure what's up for next year but, as I told September, I'm sensing there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Well, I know THE Light is shining a path for me. I just need to hone in. He's not letting go of me, and I'm so thankful!!!! I guess instead of clinging to the hair I wish to yank outta my head, I should let go and reach up to Him. Ya think? Yuppo!

As far as the certification from UTD, I've sort of nixed that route. Instead, our region offers alternate methods of certifcation. If you can spell, you can teach.
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Just kidding!!!!

But seriously, they have a hardcore "speed" method of getting certified, as long as you hold a Bachelor's degree and kept a decent GPA thru most of your hours. There are certain requirements for those in the higher need areas, too. Of course, there are also tests, tests, and more tests to pass, but I hear they train ya pretty well. I phoned them today and, since the lady I need to speak with was busy, I won't hear back til Monday. (Science is a critical needs area, so that's what I asked about...and if I don't have enough "true" science credit (many of my classes post-Biology and A&P are "PE" science classes), I'll either do the early childhood generalist route, or PE.

I have also been searching different school districts' (around here) websites for job openings. There's a PE job in a town nearby, so I gave them a call. Basically, all I need in order to interview is either a teaching certificate OR a letter proving I'm enrolled in a certification program. Cool. I'm gonna have more info come Monday.

By the way, we were offered our contracts for next year yesterday afternoon. Oy. Since it's an "at will" kinda thing, I went ahead and signed mine.

So, that's it for now.

Thanks so much for praying for me. I still get overwhelmed and all blah every now and again, but it's getting better.