BennyBlogers

     That moment you have when you know the answer or the word you are looking for, and it is right on the tip of your tongue... That's how I feel about test taking. You know you have the information in your brain, but the way that you are being asked to present it is not the most effective at bringing it to the forefront. I have always had test anxiety. No matter how well I knew the information, with some exceptions, I always missed a question or two that I knew I had the answer to, but for some reason could not get them out of my brain.        I certainly do not think of myself as a dumb person. I know I am not in the ninety-ninth percentile, but I know I am above average, so I could imagine if I have trouble taking test even when I feel prepared, there are lots of others who feel the same.      I know there has to be some sort of standard that has to be met when it comes to the evaluation of the knowledge students have. Obviously...

      To be completely honest with myself and who ever reads this, during my time in high school I was certain I did not want to become a teacher. My parents and grandparents were teachers, and they all advised me to pick something different. With that kind of influence it was easy for me to look elsewhere for my future career path. I did, on the other hand, have an abundance of really great teachers who I looked up to and admired the kind of people they were. I wasn't one of those kids who loved school. I disliked it honestly. I liked the social part but was not as enthused by the academics. I was smart enough that I could neglect my studies and rely mostly on memory and class time to accomplish good grades. I was Senior Class President and Beta Club President, which looked good on my applications, but may have been a little deceiving regarding my academic commitment and discipline. I would say I left high school completely convinced on not becoming a teacher.  ...

      I think we've all had those teachers, whether it be high school teachers, elementary school, or maybe even college level teachers who, for whatever reason, do not feel invested or interested in what or who they are teaching. I can think of several teachers from when I was in high school that seemed like they were only there to collect a paycheck. Maybe at one point in their life they felt the fire and urgency to mold young minds and inspire the next generation to learn and grow, but at some point they lost the drive or they were discouraged to the point of not caring. It it easy for us to be the judge of those, not so effective, teachers, but I can also see how in today's environment it could be easy to feel discourage and for lack of a better term "give up" on bettering the next wave of adults.  I've been around my share of today's children and teenagers and coming from someone that is not so removed from being in their shoes (11 years in May) I already...