This post will address many of the most pertinent things that I had to do to prepare for formal training over the summer with Teach for America, called Induction and Institute. There is a LOT to do between when you sign the dotted line and when you actually show up for training, which is what I didn't realize when I decided to join.
Pre-Institute work
Transitional Funding
Structured English Immersion Course
In January, I signed up through Arizona State University for a Structured English Immersion Course. This is required for all teacher's in Arizona, so this won't apply to all regions.
$$ $200 (Teach for America reimbursed me)
Moderate Stress levels
NES (National Evaluation Series) exams
In order to become certified to teach elementary school in Arizona, prospective teachers must pass two content exams. Subtest 1 covers Reading and English Language Arts and Social Studies. Subtest 2 covers Mathematics, Science, and The Arts, Health, and Fitness. Each test is computer-based, 75 multiple-choice questions, 1 hour and 30 minutes long.
The national benchmark score is 220/300, Arizona's is 240/300.
Teach for America recommends that those taking the NES study between 48 and 72 hours. I agree with their recommendation. The tests do not require a great depth of knowledge, but require extensive breadth on a variety of subjects. The Reading and English Language Arts test requires understanding of specific terms and concepts that will be on the test. To me, the Social Studies portion felt like memorization of all of World and American History required. Go! The math portion covered a variety of subjects, ranging from fractions to geometry, proportions to percentages. Math isn't my speciality, so this was the most difficult section for me. The science portion, to me, also felt like memorization of life, earth, physical, and every other type of science was required.
In total, I studied somewhere between 12 to 14 hours over Christmas break. I wish I had studied more. Or do I... I passed both exams, but I will admit, I found the Math and Science Subtest to be difficult.
UPDATE: While I passed the elementary subtests, once I was hired by a middle school, I needed to take the History and Middle School Social Studies tests. Let me tell you, these tests are hard. They require an in-depth knowledge and ability to connect all of the world's history along with American History, Government, and Economics. In total, I studied about 48 hours total.
UPDATE: While I passed the elementary subtests, once I was hired by a middle school, I needed to take the History and Middle School Social Studies tests. Let me tell you, these tests are hard. They require an in-depth knowledge and ability to connect all of the world's history along with American History, Government, and Economics. In total, I studied about 48 hours total.
$$: $95 dollars for both Subtests (Teach for America reimbursed me for this)
$$ $195 for both History and Middle School Social Studies sub tests (Teach for America paid for one of these tests and would reimburse me if I didn't pass them)
$$ $195 for both History and Middle School Social Studies sub tests (Teach for America paid for one of these tests and would reimburse me if I didn't pass them)
*TIME*: 13 hours studying + 3 hours taking the exams + 40 minutes driving
HIGH stress levels
Fingerprints
During an ice storm, my mom and I piled into the car to head to the Sylvania Township Police Department for fingerprints. The state of Arizona requires all prospective teachers to be fingerprinted and undergo a full background check. I had never had my fingerprints done before, and I wouldn't say it was a fun experience, just an experience haha. The officer was very nice and it only takes about 5 minutes.
SO...this isn't the end of the story. Make sure that when you get your fingerprints done you really do have the police department mail them. The Sylvania Police Department refused to mail them for me, and, as a result, they were unable to be processed. I received a new card in the mail, and went to the University Police, where the officer told me I was, "the most difficult set of prints he's had to do in 40 years." It seems that my fingerprints have been worn off on my middle fingers (yes, that is possible--I had no clue either until we had so much trouble). The officer was standing there spraying water and liquid alcohol on my hands. Finally, he pulled out the cornhuskers lotion and had me sit in the office for 10 minutes rubbing it all over my hands. Talk about a funny story a few years from now
UPDATE: My fingerprints went through! I am now waiting for my official fingerprint card from Arizona.
Additionally, I had to have fingerprints done for Americorps about a month before heading down for Institute. These fingerprints Teach for America pays for. This process was really quite simple. I just showed up at UPS store after making an appointment and they took digital fingerprints, sent them off, and about two days later, I received an e-mail saying that they had cleared.
Additionally, I had to have fingerprints done for Americorps about a month before heading down for Institute. These fingerprints Teach for America pays for. This process was really quite simple. I just showed up at UPS store after making an appointment and they took digital fingerprints, sent them off, and about two days later, I received an e-mail saying that they had cleared.
$$: Price: $20 dollars to the Sylvania Township Police Department, $68 dollars to the Arizona Department of Public Safety for a background check, $1.20 for my mom to mail the envelope with the new fingerprint card to Ohio, and $10 dollars to the BYU University Police
**: 30 minutes driving time/waiting for an officer/actual fingerprinting, 2 months of waiting for them to be processed, 40 minutes re-doing my prints at the BYU University Police
No comments:
Post a Comment