MrsHughey.com

It's official

I'd like to save this entry until I've called Andrew to tell him, but I'd feel bad waking him up and there's nobody online for me to tell. So, lest I burst, I will tell YOU, loyal reader: my Florida state teaching certificate is here!

You feel let down, don't you? Okay, I'm sorry for the buildup, but, really, it's a big deal.

Although I already had a masters degree when I went into teaching, I had to apply for a teaching certificate from the state when I applied for my job. It's just like pretty much any other professional license - it means you're officially qualified to do what you do. In addition to my degree and a verbose application form, numerous strips of red tape, annoying tasks and boring meetings were required for me to get the certificate. Not to mention that, even having done all that, the state was still claiming I was missing requirements when I quit my teaching job last year. The fact is, I was qualified for certification when I graduated. But the state wouldn't believe me!

I've been arguing with Tallahassee about this for months. I had finally resigned myself to having to start all over when I returned to the United States.

Then, tonight, I was looking through the manila folder of stuff my sister had collected for me over the months. There was this big envelope from the Florida Department of Education. Why did I not notice this before!? There it is. All in all, it does not look very impressive, but it's a BIG relief.

Okay, so I have a masters. Why is this certificate important? Well, for one thing it PROVES that I am certified to teach (ie I've jumped through the hoops). It's also very helpful should I move out of state, decide to teach in private school (or someplace like Sylvan), and when I start back at school next year. Basically, it makes my life and my job a lot easier. It means I don't have to go through the first year teacher programs again or fill out [this particular] long form again.

YAY!

Posted by Erin at April 15, 2003 12:02 AM