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September 07, 2004
The rest of the story
Our first Anatomy "Learning Experience" (read: test) went fine for me. Some students did have a difficult time with it. If the entire thing could have been based on skeleton models, I know some particular students would have been fine. But most of it has to be written.
I blame the National Certification Exam.
I refuse to link to them. If you don't know what it is, rest assured that you probably don't really need or want to know.
At lunch we were discussing how standardized testing affects public school teachers, and I brought up the fact that we're experiencing some of that here. Soyka is an amazing science teacher. What else would she be having us spend time on if she didn't have to devote at least some time helping us learn how to take the National Exam? What wonderful learning experiences are we missing out on due to the power that the NCBTMB has gained over the industry?
Being good at, or learning skills for, passing written tests will help a massage therapist at exactly one point in his career: taking the NCE, if so required.
Here in California, we're not required. So I have no intention of giving the NCBTMB my money, or letting them count my body in their statistics. When state licensure becomes a reality in California, it is my desire that the requirements for such licensure will remain under the control of the California voters, where they belong, and not an unaccountable private group.
Tai Chi & Awareness went well. Everything about meditation was easier for me. And during a partner exercise I finally experienced, to some degree, the dynamic nature of yin and yang... the always changing unmoving unity of it all.
"Nice," as Paul would say.
There was sushi at dinner! And tom yum tofu. And yams! Delicious french fried yamuful goodness. I could eat a whole plate.
Tonight: trade sessions, shower, make sure I'm ready for tomorrow, and sleeeeep.
Posted by Josh A. at September 7, 2004 07:14 PM