Certification

And today I was approved as a licensed educator in the state of Vermont.  :-)

Submission

Today was another big day.  I officially applied for licensure to teach French (grades 7-12) in the state of VT.  I am now officially able to say that my license is "pending".  Transcripts have been ordered, tests have been taken, fingerprints done (tho' might have to do those again), and all ducks in a row.  I need to upload a couple more supporting documents this weekend, but it's officially "in".

A graduation

Friday, April 1st, I officially graduated from the TAP program.  I'm not sure if my portfolio needs another reviewing or not, but either way, they've mailed out the letter to the state saying I've officially finished and am recommended for licensure.

It was a lovely time and I was very blessed to have my entire family in attendance.  My kids cheered, probably more because they have me back than because I am done, but either way is fine, since the two things go together.

Progression

I began tracking my portfolio progress on March 11th (the left most thermometer).  I finished on March 29th (the right most thermometer).  There was far more than just portfolio writing going on during that time too, including kids, work, home, doctor's appts, and the like.  That's 18 days.  Very full days.  Plus that's a lot of writing.  I am physically exhausted.  For the past 48 hours I've had trouble focusing and haven't felt well.  Last night, I managed to get the closing thoughts done.  What a relief.  Today there was tutoring and dinner and meetings... I keep wanting to move on and clean up the mess that is my house, do laundry, clean bathrooms, and work on my budgets and business income so I can get to my taxes (two weeks 'til those are due - another deadline!).  I can't think straight.  It is likely I'll have revisions to make, especially on the Part II sections.  But I'm done. I want to declare it here and now that I.AM.DONE.  Honestly, I don't like work like this.  But it is good for me and forces me to grow because of the thinking processes that it entails.  I'll share more about that later (like in several weeks, after the taxes are done) - maybe (not likely given my track record of past years but one can always hope).  Today I say thank you.  Thank you!  I appreciate you all.

The downhill stretch

The roller coaster has definitely crested the hill and begun its downward descent.

Today I was able to focus and completed the last two official sections of the portfolio.

After my reviewers read it, there will likely be some revisions and changes to make.
While I wait to hear from them, I will compose my "Closing thoughts and acknowledgments".
That is my work for tomorrow.

 That means it's largely done.  I guess I'm still running down the hill, but soon the coaster will come to a stop and I'll get off and it will be time to go to the next thing.

Thank you all for praying.  I so appreciate you!

Almost there!

So much I could say.  

But here is what matters: 

Today it's Easter.

Christ came to Earth to save sinners like me.

He was born, lived a sinless life, died unjustly - in my place - and rose again to give me new life.

Somehow this portfolio just doesn't compare.

Yet he has helped me to grow in so many ways through this process of teacher training,

and this portfolio has been a source of learning, just as the seminars and student teaching were.

As I've had to think through the things I needed to write about, I have synthesized

my learning and it has become much deeper and more personal.  

I am a better teacher,

and a better person,

because of this portfolio.

And I thank God for helping me through this process,

and for His work in me, which is not yet done.

He has used this to make me more like him, 

and I hope that as a teacher, I will bring honor and glory to him in all I do.

The details?  My second reader actually read what I had completed thus far today 

and I was able to make the tiny changes she requested, 

so I am DONE with the Intro, Part I, Part III, the Bibliography and half of Part II.

I have drafts of everything I have not yet finished.

I have turned in half of Part II Analysis (5 sections) 

and plan to turn in the rest tomorrow (5 more sections).

I hope to have the reflection and closing thoughts done tomorrow too, but if not, Tuesday for sure.

Thanks for praying!

Final stretch - I hope

Final portfolio stretch today - I hope. Woke up and wrote for an hour. Took a shower, Went to church.

†  Happy Easter!  †

Now home again and settling in (I hope).

• Need to draft 3 more subsections. 
• Then review 9 and submit as many as are ready. 
• Then draft one more section. 
• Go back and review and submit whatever needs reviewing and submitting. 
• Then one more round of "Whatever still needs reviewing, do it and submit it." 
• Then closing thoughts - draft, review, submit. .... 

Can it be done in what's left of today?

Please pray that it will. I'm sure going to try. I need this much done today if there is any possible way. And that is where focus and perseverance - which God alone can give me - will come in. Really needing Him to help me avoid the distractions that not only surround me but which are honestly "more important" and "why I'm doing this" in the first place They are real - and so is the need to get this done.... so that I can pay proper attention to them again. They need it. I need it. And I can only do it with His help. This is not something that is deep within me somewhere to be summoned up and applied to the situation - it is as far from my natural giftings as it gets. But God can do it, if it's what He wills. Please pray along those lines, and for contentment as well with whatever happens.

[After I submit everything, it will be read and reviewed by two readers, and then I'll need to respond to comments and make revisions after my readers give their input. So I'll still not be quite "done"... but that's not on today's plate.]

Note: the light at the end of the tunnel is definitely getting bigger. Hoping to come over the crest of the hill and begin the final descent by dinner time. Thanks for praying!!!!! ♥♫♪♪♫♥