The Horror That Won't End

There was a time back in my pursuit of a career in teaching that I struggled. I'm talking about the end of my time at Furman, during the tail end of my senior year. Back then, the most vital thing in my path to a B.A. and a teaching certificate, other than student-teaching, was passing the PRAXIS exams.

After some struggle, I finally rid myself of the pesky beast. And yes, PRAXIS is a beast (which makes its surrogate sister, the PLT, a beast as well because both are required to be a teacher). It leaves you a very broad field to prepare for, which practically guarantees clamminess, sweaty palms, and a sickly feeling in your stomach the day you show up for the test. But I studied the best I could, and although one had to be re-taken, I slayed the beast just in time to graduate.

Or so I thought.

Got the following e-mail this afternoon:

"Your name appeared on a report as not having your Middle Level Certification. Part of that process is to take and pass 2 exams: the Principals of Learning and Teaching (PLT) test #0524 and your Middle Level Content PRAXIS."

...

...

What. The. Heck.

Based on my information from the Furman Education Department, I was under the impression that I was covered with secondary certification. Which, last time I checked, included 6th through 12th grades.

When did that change? And what will be the point of putting down money for a test that assesses my capabilities on a field I'll have taught for nearly two years by the time the date rolls around?

Plus, how can there be more than one PLT? These are general principles that every teacher, regardless of field or concentration, need to know.

Again, I ask: What. The. Heck.

I jumped on my FirstClass network and hammered out emails to a few friends in the Education Department. Hopefully they can clear this up for me. I'm more than a little confused and upset by this sudden turn of events. Stay tuned...