One brick wall down.....

"Brick Walls"

Here is what Randy Pausch, author of The Last Lecture, has to say about brick walls...."Brick walls are there for a purpose--they let us prove how badly we really want [what is on the other side]." By the way, I highly recommend reading or watching "The Last Lecture." (http://www.thelastlecture.com/)

Today was a monumental day in the Phillips house hold! For those of you who do not already know, I have been struggling to gain one, single, solitary point to pass the Praxis I teaching exam. It's been a burden (or a "brick wall") that I have been trying to overcome for several years now. To break it down, the Praxis I consists of three tests (reading, writing and mathematics) that equal one composite score. The state of Virginia requires one to have a composite score of a 532, which if I might add, is the highest Praxis I test score out of any other state in the entire United States (most states require you to pass with a 522 not 532). Even though I had a 531 and had passed the Praxis in every other state in this country, I had not passed the Praxis I in the state of Virginia (per their requirements). Therefore, you can understand my frustration.



The purpose of the Praxis I is not only to ensure that you are a "highly qualified teacher" once you graduate, but it also tends to "weed out" the "good teachers from the bad." This theory of weeding out the good from the bad really, truly upsets me because after all, it is soooo not true! Let me explain why. I have spoken with numerous individuals from a wide variety of VA universities, and almost seven out of ten people tell me that they have either given up or are going to give up on their overall idea of becoming an educator---how sad! Why, you may ask!? They are changing their major or even dropping out of school all because they cannot pass the Praxis I, most of them being in the same situation that I was in....lacking one point. Ridiculous! I swear this exam is rigged!

So instead of giving up (which I have contemplated many times), I took the Praxis mathematics test once again and passed it with one point to spare! So instead of passing the test with a 532, I passed it with a 533 (I sure showed the state of Virginia how it is really done, didn't I!?). Passing this exam has literally brought me to a new chapter in my life. You see, I only have ten more education classes to take until I graduate. However, I was unable to take those courses because I had not "passed" the Praxis (the college I go to requires you to pass the Praxis I before you enter your core elementary education classes). Therefore, I am now able to move on with my education, which is beyond exciting!

This upcoming school year is going to be full of excitement and well as full of challenges. Going to school full time and being a full time assistant director of a school is going to be well.....QUITE challenging! However, I know, that I know, that I know that I am up for the test! After all, Philippians 4:13 says that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! So please, please, please keep me in your prayers….and keep Kevin in your prayers too. He will be starting back to school in January 2009. I am sure the stress level in our household will be a little bit above normal, but again, we are up for the challenge and cannot wait to see where God will lead us in the near future!


So, one brick wall down........a few more to go! =)