When the teacher has to take a test

Tomorrow I have to take a test.  Yes a test, actually 2 tests!  I am the worst test taker ever, I took the SATs twice, that's how bad of a test taker I am.  I shouldn't be though...in my 13 years of teaching I have given hundreds or maybe even thousands of tests by now and taught my students test taking strategies.  I should be a pro, but I don't feel like one.  As Olivia would say...I am not brave enough to do it.  I have been studying since February along with teaching, mentoring a student teacher, training for a half marathon, being wife, mom, and daughter, and I feel okay about the tests, but not super confident.  I admit I am nervous. 

This will be my first online computer test, which I even watched the video to prepare myself of where to click and what the questions may be like.  I feel that I don't read as closely as I should on the computer, but I have 5 hours to complete 2 tests with 80 questions a piece for a total of 160 questions.  I can't even bring a watch or a pencil so I am going to really have to watch my time. 

I now know how my students feel when they take a test. I have been thinking about it this whole past week.  April 7th has been looming over my head.  I have been saying words and terms in my head constantly.  I keep thinking about silly stuff too- can I have water during the test? 5 hours is a REALLY long time!!! Is there a snack break?  What if I have to use the restroom?? Just crazy things to think about, but I know my sweet students think about those things too!

I really should know all the information since I have been teaching for 13 years.  A lot of the information is stuff that I studied 15 years ago in my undergrad classes...but that was a LONG time ago and I am a little rusty and education has changed in 15 years just a bit!! I don't know why I have to take a multiple choice test to demonstrate my mastery of teaching ESOL students.  I have been doing it for 13 years, how about an observation?  That seems more logical to me. 

So say a little prayer for me tomorrow afternoon. I pray that I can be brave enough to conquer this test!

While everyone else is having fun on spring break, this is what I have been doing...and no I am not asking for any sympathy!!

High Falls Camping

After the really long well/sick appointment we left for camping.  We didn't go to far, jsut to High Falls state park.

It stormed really bad the first night.  I admit I didn't sleep much due to all the thunder and lightning!  It was pretty scary.  Friday it rained off and on but we were still able to get out and do some stuff.  Saturday was gorgeous and we did lots of hiking at the campground, played mini golf, and tried fishing.  It was a great little spring break trip!

Decorating the camper with Shopkins coloring

Crockpot soup and homemade biscuits

Olivia's version of S'mores

The dam at High Falls

Finding a Geocache

And another tricky geocache

The river on Friday

Attempting to fish by the dam...the water is covering some benches

Frozen Uno of course!

The river after the dam on Saturday

First hike of Saturday

Mini golf!

Nature Trail

5 year check up

I took Olivia for her 5 year check up and sort of a sick appointment.  She was super congested and sounded like Darth Vader...

She has grown 2 3/4 inches and has gained 5 pounds in a year! We were at the appointment for over 2 hours.  Love her doctor but geesh I was ready to get out of there and not be exposed to anymore germs!

Easter

The weatherman totally got it wrong for the weather on Easter.  It was overcast and chilly and some rain off and on.  Just not a fun day for egg hunting and stuff.  We went to church and then came home and relaxed and ate turkey for dinner!

Olivia wrote the Easter bunny a great letter, mostly by herself and we planted jelly beans for the Easter bunny.  She loved the bunny tracks on the back porch and finding her basket!

Duathlon 2016

Brendon and I did the Dirty Spokes Duathlon at Fort Yargo again! We went from 6th place to 3rd place!! We did awesome!