Finally Finished

So will I become a Nationally Board Certified teacher? Who knows, but I did put in many hours and lots of effort. The four entries I wrote added up to a total of 102 pages. Then there were about 25-30 forms and cover sheets to complete and two 15 minute unedited DVDs of me teaching small groups of students. It is now in mail and should arrive in San Antonio, TX on Friday. (I'll be tracking it.) However, my part is finished and it is now in the hands of the assessors. I sure hope my entries don't get graded on a Friday afternoon at 4:30, but that is out of my control. Pray or think good thoughts for me! If I fail, which is likely, I can resubmit 2 out of the 4 entries. The first time passing rate is very low like 22% but my school district's passing rate is closer to 50%. We'll see...I find out right before Thanksgiving. I guess that will either make or break my holiday. The last part is to study for the test which will begin this weekend. I checked out books from the library. I have to brush up on social studeis, art terminology, and science since the area I am trying for certification in is 7-12 year olds and I only teach 8-9 year olds. I feel pretty good with the math and reading but need to revisit history and areas of science I don't teach. I take the test on May 16th so I have some time.
Here are a few pictures of my National Boards adventure:
Me reading through just one more time.

The 5 envelopes sealed and ready to go.

My laptop with the new wireless card that survived the journey. Thanks Mike for fixing it :) .

The plastic file container that was my life for the last 6 months. I carried this baby everywhere. Now it is filled with copies of my completed work.


All the drafts and student work piles really stacked up. I have two more grocery bag fulls in my trunk.

Bob, the owner of the local UPS store taping my box and sending it off.