I can’t help but to feel like I’ve been forgotten by TFA. I keep reading about all the new CMs who were just accepted and have received cards and letters from current CM’s and students in their region. I got accepted into the Greater New Orleans chapter back in November and besides the initial welcome/what are your concerns phone call and letter I received in the first week, there hasn’t been much more communication or outreach. I do receive the TFANet This is What’s Happening in GNO e-mails but it seems as if there isn’t much going on because there is never really any news in them.
On Tuesday I’ll find out the results from the Praxis II test I took 3 weeks ago. The test that was unbelievably hard and had no resemblance to the ETS practice material so I’m really not too optimistic about the score. I’ve heard that for certain regions you only need to get half the questions right to pass, unfortunately for me Louisiana isn’t one of those regions. And even if it was I really don’t know if I got half the questions right. So on Tuesday I’ll know, and if I didn’t pass I have to register by Tuesday night to take the Praxis II again in March. Oh the joys of testing.
I know that overall I just need to be patient with everything and that the pre-institute work will be on its way in the next 2-3 weeks but I want to get started on something NOW because I want to get as much preparation as I possibly can. I read on here last week when someone asked about what is the best way to prepare and almost everyone said classroom observation. Well that really doesn’t work for me right now since I work 8:30-5, Monday-Friday. I’m thinking my next best option is to read as many books as possible so…for all of you that are teaching or have previously taught, what books did you find the most helpful to prepare you for the classroom? And to all the 2011 CM’s, if you’ve been reading any books, which ones have you enjoyed and thought were helpful? Any input at all would be greatly appreciated!
I’m currently teaching at the college level (and have prior K-12 experience…) A book I love (and I use to teach my college students) is Karen Hale Hankins book “Teaching through the Storm.” I think my biggest take away was how to reflect and the importance of it as a teacher.