The Final Countdown

TExES exam: 9 days

Induction: 10 days

Institute: 14 days

My post-grad life has been filled with tons of work, contrary to any expectations I had. You're probably wondering what this countdown represents...well, here's a breakdown!

TExES
AKA the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards. This test determines whether or not I can even become a teacher (scary). I will be taking the Generalist EC-6 exam June 4th in Dallas, & have to pass!

The test is scored from a total of 300 points, & I need 240 to pass - or 80% correct. The paragraph below is an exert from a TFA email I received, further adding to my fear of this exam.

YOUR 1st JOB AS A TFA CORPS MEMBER IS TO PREPARE FOR YOUR TExES AND PASS IT. IF YOU DO NOT PASS, YOU WILL NOT RETAIN YOUR PLACE IN THE 2012 DFW CORPS.

Along with studying for the TExES exam, I have 40 hours of reading/prep-work to complete. This work includes readings discussing the achievement gap, classroom observation hours, & lesson planning. I have my work cut out for me.

Induction
I will be at Southern Methodist University (SMU) from June 5-June 10, where I will finally meet all other 2012 TFA Corps members within the Texas region - so exciting! We have all been communicating on a Facebook page, but it will be great to finally meet these people in person. This week-long "camp" will be filled with learning about TFA's mission, as well as meeting with our respective school districts.

Induction Schedule

I was recently placed within Fort Worth ISD (stoked) but have yet to get a specific position. I'm crossing my fingers for 3rd grade.

Institute
I literally drive straight from Induction (SMU/Dallas) to Institute, held at Rice University in Houston, TX, where I will "learn how to be a teacher" from June 10-July 14. The training so so rigorous that days start at 6 a.m. & usually end around midnight.

There are many institute horror stories online via blogs, but I haven't read any of them. I want to have/create my own perspective of the 5-week training...plus, I don't want to get too stressed (probably too late for that).

Post-grad life has yet to slow down, but I can't wait to get this TFA summer officially started.

Motivation

My dad once told me he and his brothers had to work in the Texas fields picking cotton while growing up. He said the summers were hot & the work was hard. The grueling job for minimal pay made him realize something: he needed to get out of that small town, make something of himself, & create the life he wanted.

One degree in Mechanical Engineering & an MBA later, I think my dad can safely say he succeeded. We reside in the wonderful city of Southlake, Texas, where college is not only an option, but also expected. So, although I am a proud college graduate, I expected to receive a degree from a university four years after high school.

Photo taken by Daniel Silverman

A combination of hard work, motivation & luck propelled my dad towards his life today. His brothers and sister, on the other hand, continue to reside in that small town. My dad sought out education, and became an exception to an unfair "rule" - a rule alluding to the difficulties of achieving success in a low-income Latino neighborhood.

My education from Carroll ISD was phenomenal. My teachers prepared me for college, & my knowledge gained from high school led to many merit-based scholarship offers.

My cousins, on the other hand, have not been exposed to such great public education. Both lack of necessary school funds and distractions from gangs, drugs & teenage pregnancy have impacted their abilites in the classroom. Therefore, high school graduation is a feat in itself...& college graduation? BIG DEAL.

I am the first of my cousins from my dad's side to graduate from college. Although it might have been expected for me, it is still an achievement.

I hope this degree inspires my younger cousins that were able to watch me graduate. Although the odds are against them, they are smart & capable. Maybe seeing me graduate will show them that one day they can, too.

The beginning

"Our vision is that one day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education."

In 28 days I will officially begin my journey as a 2012 TFA Corps member within the DFW metroplex. In 4 days, I will be a college graduate...& at this moment, I am filled with excitement & nerves.

I've just finished my last college exam, and reality is sinking in. I am going to be an elementary school teacher in a bilingual classroom - but did I mention I've never taught a class? Right now, the image of 20 plus students calling me "Ms. Castro" is super intimidating - but it also puts a smile on my face.

In hopes of capturing the ups & downs, the challenges and life lessons learned, I've made this blog for not only friends & family, but also myself. I love documenting experiences - as I learned while studying abroad - & know that this new chapter in life will be equally as unique as the past ones.

Follow along as I discover life as a graduate, teacher, & TFA corps member...cheers to new beginnings!