Documentary: American Teacher

There was a free screening in Los Angeles at Mount St. Mary's College on November 16th at 7 pm, so I went to check it out (I am finally taking the time to write about it). The documentary is about how the label as teacher has been so under-appreciated in America that it has been embedded in our culture. The documentary follows four teachers from all around America and introduces all the problems they go through in trying their best to teach their students. It shows all the sacrifice, the genuine passion, and the struggle of it all. Teachers inspire, they are hardworkers (and work more than some people assume), they are dedicated, but at the same time they are career is misunderstood and underpaid. The quality of a country takes it all the way down to their teachers. In America, the situation does not look so good.

For more information and screenings, please visit: http://www.theteachersalaryproject.org/index.php

CSET I and II - May 5th, 2012. Here we go!!!

I never really took the CSETs in Social Science when I applied for the credential program at UCI. Instead, the requirement was waived because I completed a subject matter preparation program (SMPP) in Social Science while an undergraduate.

I've always thought it was a downside because I wasn't sure whether schools preferred SMPPs or CSET scores. Being that I'm having such a difficult time finding a teaching position, I'm starting to believe that they probably prefer CSET scores.

As a result, I'll be taking the CSETs! That way, I can show them that I've passed the CSET exams as well as completed the SMPP in Social Science.

I'm probably a little rusty with history, so I purchased CSET study guides at the Orange County Department of Education and let me tell you... they are so NOT worth it!!! Two booklets for $86.20!!! When I finally got them, I flipped through them and the quality is not worth it. We'll see how this goes.

The dates for my CSET exams will be:
May 5th, 2012: CSET Subtest I - World History; World Geography
May 5th, 2012: CSET Subtest II - US History; US Geography
July 14th, 2012: CSET Subtest III - Civics; Economics; California History