T.A. and the Test

It's a big weekend for my friend T.A. Tomorrow at 2:00pm, he will be taking the teacher certification exam for EC-12 Physical Education. If you could just see the amount of studying and preparation he has put into getting ready for this test, you would understand what importance tomorrow holds for him.

I have known T.A. for about four years and he has become probably one of my best friends here. We have helped each other through a lot of ups and downs over the past few years, some of which have been career-related, especially for T.A. He originally came to Dallas pursuing a football career, but injuries prevented that from becoming a reality. He went to college in North Carolina and his degree was in social work, but that's a degree that doesn't present very many opportunities, especially jobs that pay a decent salary, without at least a Master's. However, if you know T.A., you know that one thing he is truly passionate about is working with kids. And he is REALLY good at it. REALLY good. He has a way of connecting with kids and being able to give them positive messages in ways that really "click." Kids love him to death, but they also really respect him and what he has to say. He really has a unique gift. At the same time, T.A. is the type of person who really feels obligated to his family and feels responsible for supporting them financially as much as he can. This has created a dilemma over the years as he searched for a job that his social work degree qualified him for, that would allow him to use his passion for working with kids, and that would provide a decent salary to enable him to help his family as much as possible. He wanted to try to get his teaching certification, but when we looked into it, he didn't qualify because he didn't have the required amount of hours in a content area (due to his major being social work). That was a major disappointment. He worked awhile for CPS, but you can only imagine what that experience was like. Then, about a year ago, he started working for a nonprofit organization called "Communities in Schools." This organization basically works within area schools to provide support, counseling, etc to students. He is on something called the mobile team where he goes to schools all over the DFW area and does presentations on anything from gangs to bullying to hygiene to self-esteem to success, or whatever that school feels is a need. He works with small groups at these various schools on a weekly basis, and let me tell you, he has been a hit. Principals and teachers have called CIS to tell them what a huge impact he is having on the kids and how much difference he has made at their schools. I will have to post a letter one kid wrote to him on here one day...but I digress. Some principals have really encouraged him to try to pursue his certification again and pretty much offered him a job if he were to do so.

Well, a few months ago, after a few conversations with principals, T.A. decided that he would do whatever he had to do to go after the teaching certification, even if it meant going back to school to take whatever classes or hours were necessary. He was going to have to take about 16 additional hours and so we began the application and registration process. However, it was around this time that I discovered that Texas had changed the requirement so that all he would have to do to be accepted into an alternative certification program is pass the content area test. Now, I know I ranted about this change a few posts ago, but at the same time, it's the current law and T.A. currently wants to become a teacher, so this is what he has to do. (It simplify things in his case, that's for sure!) We found that one of the test dates was in April, which if he passed, would be perfect timing for entry into an ACP and potential hiring for the upcoming school year.

So, let the studying begin!! T.A. decided that because of his athletic background he would take the Physical Education exam. This has been a somewhat difficult test to study for because it is so broad. It is all levels (EC-12) and covers things from cognitive development to kinesiology to educational theories to in-depth knowledge of a huge variety of sports, etc. I must say that T.A. has been extremely dedicated. He has studied intensely for weeks. He has made major changes to his schedule and his lifestyle to accomodate this time for studying. In the past, test taking has not been his strong point, but he has determined to do whatever it takes to try to pass this test that will move him to the next level in his life, both purpose-wise and pocketbook-wise.

Now the big day is almost here, and I'm probably more nervous than he is. I feel sort of responsible because he trusted me to guide him in selecting the study materials and study guides and I just hope that what we used was appropriate to the test. I'm nervous that we just spent 3 months studying stuff that is not even on the test. I can't express how much T.A. REALLY wants this and how much I REALLY want it for him!! I just ask all of you reading this to please pray for him tomorrow at 2:00! Pray that he doesn't get test anxiety like he has in the past, pray that he can recall all the information he learned, and pray that what he studied is applicable to the test. Basically, just pray that he passes! Schools need people with his passion, enthusiasm, and concern for kids. Kids need him!! And T.A. needs to be in place where he feels he can use his gifts and abilities to the fullest. So pray that this one test is not a road block to that goal becoming a reality.

Thanks for your prayers!! They will help more than any amount of studying! :-)