Teachers spend years studying and practicing before entering the classroom.  Most states also require that you pass the PRAXIS exam to gain certification.  It seems appropriate for there to be one PRAXIS exam, but, in truth, there are about 5 million types of tests.  (That’s an exaggeration, but not by much.)  I had to take five tests for my certification.  I tried to schedule them all on the same day, but it didn’t work out that way.

I spent a weekend testing at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Then, I scheduled my final exams for the next week.  During that week, I was in a meeting with friends who did their best to encourage me.

They said things like:

“Make sure you get enough sleep the night before.”

“Don’t forget to eat breakfast.”

“Drive up to the testing center to check it out before the test.”

I should have paid attention to their advice, especially the last one.  I assumed that I had scheduled my exam for the same testing center as before.  When I awoke 2 hours early on the testing day, I checked the address to get my directions.  Instead of scheduling the testing center in Chattanooga, 30 minutes away,  I had scheduled the testing center in Knoxville, a 2 hour drive.

Frantically, I got dressed and ran to my car.  I drove as fast as one can legally on the highway and made great time.  It took me almost as much time to find a parking space as it did to drive to the location.  Once parked, I checked the time.  It was exactly time for the exam.  I would have to run to the building and pray they let me inside.

So, run I did.  I was booking it.  I kept my eyes on the prize. The building remained in my sights for the duration of my sprint.  I should have checked the pavement beneath my feet. 

I tripped over a crack in the sidewalk. My hands responded by catching my fall along as I flew face first to the pavement.  Ugh.  I had no time to waste.  I ignored the pain and hoisted myself up.  Gathering my things I continued my sprint, now more like a stumbling walk, to the testing center.

I arrived at the door as the administrator locked it.  She pointed to her watch and mouthed, “Sorry, we’ve already started.  You can reschedule on the website.”

“A wise man listens to advice “

– Proverbs 12:15

Had I listened to advice, I would have checked my registration the night before and arrived in time.  I would not have torn holes in my jeans or parked illegally.  I returned to my car with bloodied hands and knees.  The sting of my cut reinforced the lessons learned: I don’t know it all, but I know people who do.

Several teaching jobs later, I still have things to learn.  I do myself a disservice thinking that I know the best course of action.  Do you have people giving you advice?  Do you test their advice or ignore it completely?  Do you have advice about marketing books?  (Asking for a friend.)

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