One in 175,711,536 Part 1

Last Monday was a very good day for me, but it really didn't begin that way.

Sunday night Mr. Peaches and I made the 6 1/2 hour trek from my folks' house, where we spend Christmas, back home.  We set up the spanking new TV they bought us, which we really didn't need or deserve (but oh, how I love it now!), and made a list of errands to run on Monday.  There were miscellaneous things like returning the books on tape we used for the trip, heading off to the bank, and then running down to our University to run some all-important errands that could- and I'm not being dramatic here- radically change the course of my life.  Okay, maybe I am being a little dramatic...

Here's the story.  I'm was supposed to start student teaching on January 19th, but there were some issues that came up last minute that really might have sidetracked me completely, forcing me to miss student teaching (which is only offered once a year).  If I missed student teaching, I would have to give up on the whole teaching thing all together, since Mr. Peaches is starting law school in another city in August (where we do not yet know).  ARE YOU WITH ME, PEOPLE?

Before student teaching there were a few loose ends that had to be tied up that should have been dealt with awhile ago, but were not.  First, I had to get a background check, both state and FBI, which I read could take up to six weeks (read: not enough time).  I could not start teaching without those checks, which I think is a good sign for the city's school system.

Second, my university mandates students to "attempt" the Praxis before they begin student teaching.  The Praxis is basically an exit exam similar in style to the SAT.  I am sure I will write a diatribe on this later, as I have quite a few opinions on any kind of standardized testing.  Anyway, I had planned to do this- naturally at the very last minute- on January 9th.  Except as the deadline approached I realized I didn't have the $300 it takes to register for the test.  Co-nun-drum.
(Click here for the shirt.)


I, completely freaked out, was finally directed to the Assistant to the Dean of Education.  Practically in tears, I called to ask what to do on December 10.  She had to appeal to the Dean on my behalf, who eventually (like after a week, eventually) said that if I received an A grade in Practicum (the class before student teaching) I would be allowed to take the Praxis during student teaching instead of before.

So I waited for my grades, on edge.  Two days later, I learned that I got an A- in Practicum.  An A-.  I realize an A- isn't exactly an A, but it counts, right?  I sent Ms. Assistant an email- "It counts, RIGHT?" I feverishly typed.  It counts!



But I didn't hear anything.

I called just before I knew she left for Christmas, emphasizing the extra work I did to take full advantage of my practicum experience.  I waited.  Then I waited some more.  Maybe it isn't the same?

Finally, Monday came and I decided to go see her in person and I wore brand new clothes, and made sure my hair was prettified because you have to look nice when you're begging.

I took care of my background checks (to the tune of $75- thank you Christmas money), and it turns out all you need to do is submit to one and you can go ahead and student teach.  I guess that doesn't say much about the school system after all; but, okay, Crisis One averted.

Then I asked to see Ms. Assistant.  With trembling knees I took a seat in her office.  I looked at her with a fake smile.  She looked at me.  I could feel the I'm sorry coming out of her mouth.  What would be my next recourse?  Was the dean in today in case I had to storm her office?  What media could I contact?  A student with a 3.8 GPA barred from student teaching due to poverty would make a good story.  That's what I'll do, I'll run to the papers!  To the I-Team on Channel 5!

I was ready to run out of her office with a picket sign when she said the magic words, saving my world, and- let's get real, probably my ticker which just can't take sorta thing anymore.  I was free to go into the school.

After this, I learned that I will be placed in a brand new "Gifted" (whatever that means) K-8 school within the city's metropolitan school district.  I have no idea what grades I will be teaching though, because my mentor teacher is still on break.  The best part?  (Well, besides the excitement of being a teacher or students or whatever crap I'm supposed to say is the best part.)  School doesn't start until NINE FIFTEEN!  I can sleep!  ALL SEMESTER!  I love the prevailing incorrect view that young children need more sleep than high schoolers.

The entire trip to the University, the trip that could have forever changed my life took a whopping thirty minutes.  And then I knew I was on a lucky streak...