You have to take (and pass) two tests (along with a lot of other observational paperwork) to get certified to teach in Texas. To probationally teach (without certification, for a year) you must pass the subject matter exam.
It is the TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards), and I took the Math 8-12 on Sat Jun 28. Just got the results back. You need a 240 out of 300 to “pass”. Drum roll, please… Continue reading
So, last Sunday I returned home to have a message on my machine that Reagan High School was interviewing for a Math teacher. I went to bed, got up, showered, gave them a call, they asked if I could come in in 45 minutes. I did. The interview went ok, but not great.
Reagan is less than a mile from my house and would be great because of that. Carlos Hernandez, who I interviewed with (with Bill ? and Julie ?) I liked. But when I met the principal some time ago I got some weird vibes. Though I would have loved to work that close, I was somewhat apathetic as to the outcome – several weeks ago I interviewed with Furr and the principal loved me and I liked her, but she didn’t have any jobs. Reagan called back on saturday to let me know they offered the job to another candidate.
So, now there’s a job fair in a few weeks, I guess I’ll go there for the last minute hiring blitz – I hope it’s not as much of a crazy scene as it was last time.
-b
Hmm,
So, thursday night, I was up till midnight or so,
then a bit before 5 a.m. it became apparent i wasn’t going to be sleeping,
so i got up,
got the paper,
needed Dr Pepper,
walked (one block) to the Save Store
(for the first time in my eight year residence, i found out they’re not open at 5 a.m.)
walked the other direction to the Diamond Shamrock,
got 2 liters Dr Pepper,
morning is good,
about 7 a.m. laid down in bed listening to NPR,
stared at my eyelids till 8 a.m.
I went in for my Alternative Certification Program interview for HISD. It was interesting, the interviewer was quite nice, I totally forget her name (yes, I’m horrible with names). The process was interesting as well. A pat list of questions designed by Gallup mostly judging personality type and interpersonal skills. And after it was over… I “passed”.
So, I start the ACP cycle in a few weeks (May 12), and do TTH evening, Sat mornings for about 6 weeks and one week full time observing another teacher (Integrated Field Experience). And several tests to make sure “No Child Gets Left Behind” because I can’t speak a simple sentence. We need a test to determine that – acing the TASP can’t be trusted.
“This doesn’t guarantee you a job” is placed in many places of their paperwork, but the requirements for 8-12 Math are fairly high and they are always in need. (I heard there could be an opening at the HS closest to me – 16 minute walk.)
If it all comes about, I should be able to have a paycheck again by late August, only 2 years 5 months of unemployment.
-b
Some people know that I’m applying to HISD‘s ACP program. I haven’t told many people, not wanting to jinx my application, having been unemployed for over two years and applying to many, many, many jobs. Everyone I’ve talked to has said I should get accepted automatically, but you never know.
Two monday’s ago I went in to give them the application, but I had not done my TASP tests (I read that portion of the application procedure and promptly filed it under “forget”), and I had failed to get my transcript from HCC for 3 hours of English I took in 1985. If I had not used it on my University of Texas degree, and thus it was on my UT transcript, they wouldn’t have known about it.