u/creolexmami

Hi! I'm in Texas and considering earning my bachelor's degree through Penn Foster College because I need an affordable, flexible, self-paced option. I have Sophia credits I'd like to transfer.

My goal is to become a public school teacher in Texas through an alternative certification program after I finish my bachelor's.

Has anyone earned a bachelor's degree from Penn Foster and successfully used it to qualify for a Texas alternative teacher certification program? Did your degree get accepted, and would you recommend Penn Foster?

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has actually gone through this process. Thank you! ❤️

I’m working in a middle school behavior unit. I’ve only been here three weeks and I’m already burnt out.

We have only two paras in the behavior room, and honestly it’s not enough. The teacher in the room rarely writes incidents or documentation, so a lot of the paperwork and point sheets fall on us. I’m new, and I don’t feel supported at all.

There’s one student who has had behavior issues for years. He walks out of class, walks out of the building, refuses to wait for staff, cusses us out, ignores directives, and nothing meaningful is done. It’s unsafe and exhausting. I’m doing point sheets (0–2 scoring) every day, writing incidents, redirecting, de-escalating, and basically running the room with help I guess whenever the person feels like it.

New rules new admin, but there are new rules and a lot of changes. SPED teachers have already said they don’t feel supported and that we don’t have enough help. I’m starting to feel the same.

I came into this job excited to become a future teacher, but this placement is making me question everything. I plan to stick it out until December, but I’m honestly wondering… is it too early to start applying for different roles? I keep telling myself “it won’t be long,” but every day I go in, I hate it more.

I don’t want to give too many details, but it’s sad and overwhelming. I don’t want this experience to kill my passion for teaching before I even get started.

Has anyone else been in a situation like this? What did you do? Is this normal for SPED behavior rooms, or is this a sign I should move on and maybe go back to nursing once I finish my bacholers?

Hey y’all, I’m in Texas and currently doing GCU’s Elementary + Special Education licensure program. I’m working full-time for a school district (just moved into a SPED aide role — excited but nervous).I’m in Math for Teachers I first day of that class is tomorrow and hoping to get my GPA up so I can take two classes at once.

I was originally looking at alternative certification, but I’ve heard mixed reviews. Even someone I personally know said they felt like they “didn’t learn anything in the ACP of their choice” and were totally were totally lost once they started getting close to student teaching.

I definitely don’t want to feel lost. For anyone who did GCU’s licensure program especially the Elementary + SPED dual track how was it while working full-time? Did you feel prepared? How was student teaching?

Any advice or honest experiences would help a lot.

Thanks in advance 💜

Hey y’all, I’m in Texas and currently doing GCU’s Elementary + Special Education licensure program. I’m working full-time for a school district (just moved into a SPED aide role — excited but nervous).I’m in Math for Teachers I first day of that class is tomorrow and hoping to get my GPA up so I can take two classes at once.

I was originally looking at alternative certification, but I’ve heard mixed reviews. Even someone I personally know said they felt like they “didn’t learn anything in the ACP of their choice” and were totally were totally lost once they started getting close to student teaching.

I definitely don’t want to feel lost. For anyone who did GCU’s licensure program especially the Elementary + SPED dual track how was it while working full-time? Did you feel prepared? How was student teaching?

Any advice or honest experiences would help a lot.

Thanks in advance 💜

Hey y’all. I’m 24 and I think I’m finally accepting that I’m a lesbian. I guess you could call me a late bloomer. I talked to a girl once and I didn’t even want to believe I was attracted to her, but looking back… yeah, I definitely was.

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I’m from the South, and my mom is pretty homophobic. My grandma is a very godly woman, so I grew up around a lot of “that’s not right” type of talk. I think that’s a big part of why it took me so long to even let myself consider that I might not be straight.

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With men, it always felt like something was missing. No real connection, nothing ever went anywhere, and honestly it always felt like I was forcing myself. After years of therapy and healing from things I’ve been through, I’m finally starting to understand myself better each and everyday.

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Now I’m wondering… should I tell my grandma? My uncle is gay and she accepts him, so part of me feels like she might be okay with it I feel like she knows a little, but waiting on me. But I’m still nervous.

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I also want to start dating women, but I don’t have social media. I’ve heard of dating apps, but they seem kinda scary these days lol. I want to get out more and meet people, but I don’t even know where to start.

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If anyone has advice on coming out later in life, navigating family, or how to meet women without social media, I’d really appreciate it. I’m all here for y’all’s support, guidance, and wisdom. 🥺💕

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Hey y’all, I’m finally coming back after taking a couple months off from school in general, and I’m officially switching my major to BS in Elementary Education and Special Education (Dual Major). I’m in Texas, so I know some of the certification stuff will be different for me, but I really loved how GCU had the classes set up before I took my break.

For anyone currently in the program (or recently finished it):

- What should I expect with the dual major workload

- How are the practicum/field experience hours

- How flexible are the instructors

- Anything I should know coming back after a break

I’m excited to get back into it, just trying to get a feel for what’s ahead. Any advice or experiences would help a lot.

Is there any discords for GCU education students?

Thanks in advance! 😊💜

I start July 1st, what classes can I take on. Sophia so when I start I am able to go right too my core BS IT Management classes.

Thank you in advance! 💚

Hey everyone it's me again lol, I really need some outside advice because this whole situation has turned into a circus.

I recently took a DNA test with someone who might be my biological father. I personally paid for a legal test through LabCorp because it was supposed to be used in court. The results came back fast (Friday test → Wednesday results), which already felt weird for a legal test.

Now that I’ve reviewed the paperwork, I’m realizing the entire chain of custody is messed up:

- The only signature on the chain‑of‑custody form besides ours is the collector’s.

- There is NO neutral witness signature anywhere.

- The collector photocopied our IDs, but the ID copies were not attached to the packet.

- The identity verification section is completely blank.

- The test was done at a regular LabCorp draw site, not a certified legal DNA collection center.

- The turnaround time matches an informational test, not a legal one.

From what I’ve read, a legal DNA test requires:

- an impartial third‑party witness

- ID copies attached to the chain‑of‑custody

- identity verification completed

- photos taken (this part was done)

- collection at an authorized legal DNA facility

So now I’m sitting here with a test that looks official but doesn’t meet ANY of the legal standards. And to make it worse, the other party already ran to the media with this like it was a court‑ready result.

My question is:

Is this test legally valid at all? Can a court use this? And what should I do next?

Any advice from people who’ve dealt with legal DNA testing or chain‑of‑custody issues would be appreciated via labcorp or any other DNA company.

Hey everyone, I really need some outside advice because this whole situation has turned into a circus lol.

I recently took a DNA test with someone who might be my biological father. I personally paid for a legal test through LabCorp because it was supposed to be used in court. The results came back fast (Friday test → Wednesday results), which already felt weird for a legal test.

Now that I’ve reviewed the paperwork, I’m realizing the entire chain of custody is messed up:

- The only signature on the chain‑of‑custody form besides ours is the collector’s.

- There is NO neutral witness signature anywhere.

- The collector photocopied our IDs, but the ID copies were not attached to the packet.

- The identity verification section is completely blank.

From what I’ve read, a legal DNA test requires:

- an impartial third‑party witness

- ID copies attached to the chain‑of‑custody

- identity verification completed

- photos taken (this part was done)

- collection at an authorized legal DNA facility

So now I’m sitting here with a test that looks official but that possible don't meet ANY of the legal standards. And to make it worse, the other party already ran to the media with this like it was a court‑ready result, but they didn't have access to the chain of custody only I did which I got today.

My question is:

Is this test legally valid at all? Can a court use this? And what should I do next?

Any advice from people who’ve dealt with legal DNA testing or chain‑of‑custody issues would be appreciated.

Hey everyone! I’m starting the B.S. in IT Management at WGU on July 1, and I already have some transfer credits, so I’m hoping to move through the program pretty smoothly.

For those of you who’ve completed or are currently in BSITM:

- What should I look forward to in the program

- Any classes that are actually fun or surprisingly easy

- Any that are annoying or time‑consuming

- Tips for staying on pace or finishing early

- Anything you wish you knew before starting

- How helpful were your mentors

- Did your transfer credits make a big difference in speed

I’m excited but also trying to get mentally prepared. Any advice, experiences, or warnings are welcome. Thanks in advance!

I’m starting the B.S. in Psychology soon and my goal is to finish within the 6‑month term I know I can lock in and get it done. I’m not using this degree as a full career changer, more so something solid to have under my belt while I decide whether I want to go back into healthcare or education full‑time.

🌸 For anyone who’s already in the program:

🌸 Do Proctored Exams require a second camera, or is your laptop camera enough?

🌸 I’ve heard there are no discussion posts and you can just focus on the work — that’s exactly what I’m aiming for.

🌸Any tips or things I should know before starting?

Blessings! ✨