Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

I am freaking out right now. I was planning on doing my video for permanent certification come fall. I procrastinated, but the idea of being video taped has not really been a great one for me. I figured I had enough time and opportunity come fall. Well, I just went on and NEVER realized how LIMITED the dates are for submitting the application for permanent certification. There is only ONE DATE before my deadline which is Dec. 1 for a score reporting on JANUARY 27, when my certificate expires on JANUARY 31. I am SO freaked out right now because what if I don't pass on the first shot.

I know I am really reaching here, but I could apply for an extension using my anxiety disorder and having my dr. write me a note (the extension will only be considered for extenuationg circumstances.) As silly as this sounds, I have been VERY anxious about doing this video for a LONG time now, so I kept putting it off. I am not sure if I will get away with this, but I am going to try.


I am just in tears over this. I don't lose my total certification, since I do have until August of 2007 to get my Special Ed Permanent Certification (I teach Special Ed and when I applied for both, my Special Ed paperwork got lost in the shuffle of the State, so it was actually issued and expies at a later date.) I would be losing any chance of having permanent certification for elementary ed. and would have to go through the knew requirements if I wanted to have the elementary certification . . . . .

I am just an idiot- I can't believe I was so stupid

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

these are my thoughts -

I don't know anyone who failed the video. Honestly. I would NOT apply for an extension. I feel like once you ask for an extension, they are more apt to "watch" the video, know what I mean?

Personally, I would just do it and get it over with! The requirements for the video are pretty specific, so I am sure you will be fine!

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

Hey Brianne,

I like you put my off to the last possible minute actual had 2 attempts to pass it but forgot to mail it in time so I was down to one shot. Anyways, I have to be honest, the only people who I have ever heard of failing are people that had gliches in their tape, stopped their tape or didn't follow the guidelines. I honestly think that they get so inundated with tapes that they do not watch them very closely, hence the reason they are pass fail.

I would try not to stress about it too much, just follow the guidelines!

As for the extensions, if I remember correctly the only excuse that was accepted was birth of a child, but maybe that has change in 6 years since I did it.

Good luck

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

Oh boy...I really related because I put ALL my certification related paperwork off till the VERY last minute. The day I did my tape I had to rush to pick it up and express mail it on the last day before the deadline- I was a mess.

I too was very nervous. In fact, I put it off because I had heard rumors that it was being eliminated. Stupid me.

I actually hired someone to tape me and it cost me $125, which is absurd, but he did cert videos for a living, and he was so well organized (cueing me for when to move to the next part of the lesson, etc.) and he knew just where to focus the camera. It was worth it. I don't remember his name and he's in the Bronx anyway, but I am sure that there's someone out there who does the same and trust me, it would really put your mind at ease.

I have never heard of anyone failing except when they go over the 30 minutes (again, another advantage of having someone tape you who knows what they're doing!)

I think in the end applying for the extension will not take away the pressure. You'd just be dragging it out.

You have plenty of time before Dec. 1- you can tape a few lessons and see if you like one better than another.

You'll be fine!

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

I agree with everyone, don't stress, it'll be fine, just follow the guidelines exactly and it will be great. As others said, I've heard that they barely watch it, think about how many they would have to see and let people know if they passed within two months.

I just did mine as well, I'll find out in August and my provisional is up in Sept. Good luck!

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

I only know one person who failed, b/c it wasn't 20 minutes.


Just FYI...I was lazy and let my provisional expire before I got all my permanant paperwork in and when I finally did they backdated my cert.

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

You will be fine.
Pick a great class to do it with and just prctice first, and then have someone video tape it when you are comfortable.
I know it cant go beyond a certaing time frame and there are other requirements.
I think you will do just fine.

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

I think the two things that make me the most nervous are

1) There is a matter of FOUR days from when the scores post and my provisional expires. So what HAPPENS then? I have to have passed the video before applying for the permanent certificate. Will I make the cut as long as the application is dated before my provisional expires. The paperwork says that if your provisional expires then you have to go back and do everything over again which means I would never be permanently certified (in Elemantary k-6) because then the new guidelines would kick in. I am of course still safe in my area (Spec Ed.) because that certificate expires at a later date.


2) The video itself. They say that you could either have it taped by someone or have a tripod set up and film yourself. Now if I want to practice, I am going to have to do a few videos so that I have something to chose from (especially since it says if it looks rehearsed you automatically fail.) There is no way I am going to get someone to tape me that many times. I know that since I am Resource Room and max out at 5 kids per class, it will be easier to do the video from a fixed spot with a small group than it would be if I had an entire class. Still I do not know if I am better off having someone tape me . . . .



Thanks for helping me. I feel a little bit better after hearing your encouragement and experiences, yet I am still so annoyed at myself.

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

I used a tripod--either one is fine to do--and it made me less nervous. I just sent it in for yesterday's deadline... so I don't know if I passed or not, but I was really nervous too. I tried a few practice sessions just to get used to the camera--that helped a lot. i hate being in pictures, let alone a VIDEO!! but the practice one helped.

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

Don't worry!! File for an extension!! You can have an extension up to 4 years!!

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

Message edited 6/17/2006 8:56:39 PM.

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

don't worry!! I also watied for the last minute too.. I would say to just apply for the extension. My boss said they really don't even look at or watch the videos.. I think you'll be ok either way. Fm if you have any questions, a bunch of us at work just did it. Best wishes.. just think, summer is around the corner!

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

Now, does anyone know about the deadline? Does the paperwork have to be received before your provisional expires or just postmarked by that date? The whole 4 days thing is bugging me out . . . .

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

I would plan to do it December 1, and also apply for the extension. If they don't grant you the extension, hopefully it will all be done in time anyway. If they do grant you the extension and you don't pass the first time (which seems unlikely based on these responses) you will still have time to do another one.

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

I am still against filing for the extension. What if the state says no?? Then what?? Then you will have even less time to prepare for it. Now you have the whole summer to think about it.

The video is no longer required for the 2/3/04 requirements - which means everybody under the old rules is approaching the 3 year limit by next February. I really don't think the state is going to keep extending people - I would think from their end they would want to get all of this finished.


You have to do it anyway, so personally, I would rather do it sooner than later.

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

Posted by Karen

I am still against filing for the extension. What if the state says no?? Then what?? Then you will have even less time to prepare for it. Now you have the whole summer to think about it.

The video is no longer required for the 2/3/04 requirements - which means everybody under the old rules is approaching the 3 year limit by next February. I really don't think the state is going to keep extending people - I would think from their end they would want to get all of this finished.


You have to do it anyway, so personally, I would rather do it sooner than later.

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

First don't worry if u do everything the way they ask u will do fine. Unfortunately 2 people in my school did fail and we all freaked bc we thought everyone passed and no one looked at the video. one girl failed bc of technical difficulty. they couldn't hear te children and their repsonses so make sure ur kids speak loud. thether girl failed bc they ask u to do 10 mins instructional and 20 of the class implementing the lesson. she cut her time of 10 min and she did 8. so make sure those parts are done correctly and everything im sure will be great!! GOOD LUCK

Re: Teachers, I am an IDIOT and I am STRESSING!

Thanks everyone! I definitely plan on starting come September. Is anyone else here able to answer the question I keep posting?