Do you remember what it was like when you were in school? Walking into class only to hear the teacher gleefully announce there will be a pop test that day? Suddenly sweaty palms were such a problem that the pencil kept slipping from your trembling fingers. Maybe your mind went terrifyingly blank. Maybe you suddenly regretted talking on the phone with your friends all night instead of doing homework. Or, perhaps, you were one of the rare ones who enjoyed those kinds of surprises and were prepared – looking smugly around at your panicky classmates! Me…I was usually one of those who panicked!
Today I am the one giving the tests. I give all kinds of tests – multiple choice, essay, true/false. I test over novels, articles, stories, and vocabulary. And suddenly my own history comes back to haunt me. Now the odd light in my teachers’ eye and the gleeful tone make sense to me.
Last week I had a note on my board from the first day of the week. That note read: “Vocabulary Test Friday”. I made a point of mentioning it each day. We had vocabulary for homework, we discussed it in class, and that note remained on my board all week long. As Friday grew nearer, I could feel the beginning of stress building within myself. What? Yes…teachers do sometimes suffer from “test administrator anxiety”. Why? Let me explain.
Remember that vocabulary test? The one we spent the week getting ready for? The one that was on my board for a week? The one I reminded them of every day? Well, guess what? As the classes came in and sat down, I asked if there were any questions before I gave them their test.
Student: “Test? What test?”
Me: “The test we are having today.”
Student: Blank stare.
Me: “The vocabulary test?”
Student: Blank stare.
Me: “Over the vocabulary words? The ones we have been doing all week? The ones that are also spelling words in your social studies class?”
Student: “We have a test today??”
Me: counting to ten.
Me: “Yes. Remember? I wrote it on the board.” (I point to the board.)
Student: “Oh. That test. It’s today?”
Me: Breathe in….breathe out….”Yes. It is today.”
Student: “Can we study first?”
Me: Blank stare.
Student: “Mrs. Moore? Can we? Study?”
Me: Blank stare.
Student: “Mrs. Moore? Can we study first?”
Me: “Oh. You mean today?”
Christine Moore currently holds a degree from Howard Payne University and is actively working toward a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Married with four children, Christine teaches 6th grade reading in Brownwood and has been working in education at various levels for the past 14 years. Her husband, Jeremy, owns a local company that specializes in web design, custom computer builds, and on-location repair called DreamSoft Design at www.dreamsoftdesign.com. Christine welcomes your questions and comments and would love to hear from you!
