Teach for America Placement

I had a conference call this evening with the Teach for America field placement staff in St. Louis. She said I could expect emails and phone calls for available positions any day now, especially because I passed my Praxis:). They place the majority of their corp members within the city of St. Louis, so I hope that I am placed decently close to my house.

Everyone in Teach for America has been so nice and accommodating. I have had several corp members (past and present) reach out to me to answer my questions, tell me about St. Louis, ease my concerns about the transition, and give me information on institution. I have never been a part of a sorority or anything like that, but I have been paired with a current corp member and it sounds like she will be my "big sister." She will drive me to interviews, show me the city and answer any questions I have.

As the days get closer and closer, I feel more and more confident with my decision. I am so excited and mentally ready to become a teacher.

Quote of the day: "Goals are simply dreams that become reality through dedication and perseverance."

Countdown: 17 days!!!

Praxis

So I went out for drinks with a friend last night and we were really stressing about finding out if we had passed the Praxis exam or not because we were both in the same situation that if we didn't pass, we would need to reorganize our lives for the next year.

I could barely get to sleep last night and once I did, I just tossed and turned. The Praxis scores are posted at 7am Eastern time, so of course I had to wake up at 4am Oregon time to find out. I was thinking it would be a bad idea to start the day off with seeing my scores, because it would be a horrible day if I didn't pass.

Today is going to be a fantastic day! I passed!!! I needed a 149 and I received a 157!!! I am really thinking that those 250 flash cards must have done the trick! I am so excited that I don't have to take it on graduation morning! That was the last hurdle that I had to face before I start teaching in St. Louis and I am so thankful it is now behind me!

Now instead of stressing about the Praxis, I can really focus my efforts on my pre-institution work which involves a ton of reading and start preparing for my big move:).

I hope all is well with you and yours:)

-Allie

Update: Testing and Moving

I have been running out like crazy trying to get everything set up for my Birthday/Graduation/Going Away Party! It is stressful to help my parents make the yard nice, pack for St. Louis, and finish up my last two classes as an undergraduate!

I have also been on edge because tomorrow I found out if I passed my Middle School Science Praxis. The Praxis is the test which qualifies me to teach in St. Louis. If I do not pass it, which I hope is not the case, I have one more chance! That last chance just happens to be on graduation day! Great timing, right? I am really hoping that I passed! Keep your fingers crossed for me! I need to get at least a score of 149 to pass!

As of right now, I am just really looking forward to starting my new life in St. Louis! I am going to miss my friends and family so much, but I find comfort in knowing that this is what I am supposed to be doing with my life.

I have already found a great living situation back in St. Louis! I will be living with another Teach for America member and her friend from college who will be a Med student at a school in St. Louis! The three of us will be living in the most beautiful home I have ever seen! I am so excited to meet them and form new friendships!

I am getting really nervous, because I still have a ton of loose ends to tie up in Oregon before I move. My car is being fixed and I need to order transcripts, complete my required reading for Teach for America, as well as find the time to say goodbye to everyone! I am fully prepared to cry like a baby on graduation day!

Off to do my homework! Only 19 days until graduation and 20 days until I hop on the plane to STL!:)

Always,

Allie

Introduction

Friends and Family,

This blog will serve as the main communication line for you to be able to learn about my new life in St. Louis, Missouri. I will post weekly with new information about my classroom, living situation, and everything else this beautiful city has to offer!

I am so excited to share the next two years of my life with you, even if it is through a website. At least you will be able to see how I am doing and what I am up to.

Happy reading!

Love,

Allie