Maeshell Herrera: Journey to Success in the Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) 2023 Interview

April 2023 Special Professional Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers Board Passer: An Interview with Maeshell Herrera

Maeshell Herrera, a triumphant TSOK (Teachers Specialists Organization in Kuwait) board passer, shares her journey of preparing for and conquering the SPLE.

Here’s an up close and personal interview with Maeshell Herrera:

How do you feel about receiving the news that you passed the board exam?

She expressed being overjoyed upon learning about passing the licensure exam, recounting the physical sensations and reactions she experienced during the moment.

Have you received such recognition before? Please give details.

Yes, she received academic honors during her school days, graduating with honors in elementary, being a high school class salutatorian, and receiving awards.

What is your job here in Kuwait? How long have you been OFW?

I have worked as both a Preschool Teacher and a nurse at the same school for almost 12 years.

Who do you attribute your success to?

She attributes her success to her entire family, highlighting their support, guidance, encouragement, and prayers as crucial factors.

Who has inspired you to take up SPLE?

Her inspiration came from her family, better half, workmates, and the children at the school where she works.

What were the reactions of your family to this board’s passing?

Her family was overjoyed and happy upon learning about her passing the exam.

To what extent was TSOK helpful in your success story?

She commended TSOK for their support and assistance throughout the application process and the actual examination.

What is your plan for the future or your dream after passing this exam?

Her plan is to teach at either the secondary or elementary level, preferably in government schools.

Is this your first licensure exam? Do you plan on taking other exams, and what would it be?

Yes, this is her first licensure exam, and she doesn’t have specific plans for other exams at the moment.

What message would you like to give to the upcoming board exam taker?

To the upcoming board takers, the most critical key to passing your exam is prayer. Trust and believe in God. If it is His will, it will be done. Practice your comprehension and analysis skills. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself during your review. Focus on the topics outlined in the Test of Subjects (TOS) for your subject areas. Be confident, believe in yourself, and trust that you will succeed.

How did you know about the SPLE?

She learned about the SPLE from her colleagues and friends.

When did you decide to apply: after graduation or after finding a job? Why?

She applied for the licensure exam after completing her educational units, with the purpose of becoming a licensed educator.

What did you expect from the SPLE regarding the content of the exam? How different is it from college entrance exams?

She expected the SPLE to be more focused on comprehension and analysis, covering the knowledge from her course.

What questions were easy to answer (e.g., solving, logical reasoning, abstract reasoning)?

She found solving problems, especially in general education, to be easier.

Did you attend a review center? Which review center? (a.) If yes, how did it affect your preparation for the SPLE? (b.) If not, how did you prepare for the exam in terms of resources and review materials?

She didn’t attend a review center, opting for self-review through watching educational videos on YouTube, reading materials provided by friends, and focusing on TOS topics.

How many of the things you reviewed appeared in the exam?

She believed that some questions from her General Education review appeared on the exam.

How many weeks or months did you prepare for the exam?

I started preparing two months before the exam.

How much did preparing for the exam cost you? Is it worth it?

The preparation costs were affordable and definitely worth it.

Do you have a daily study routine? (a.) If yes, what is your daily routine, especially the specific time you study? (b.) If not, how did you manage your time, especially for reviewing?

She didn’t establish a daily routine but reviewed whenever she had free time, sometimes before going to bed or while doing household chores.

How did you balance your work and review? How did you manage your time?

After work, if not too busy, she would read and review.

How did the SPLE affect your time with family and work?

She managed to balance her responsibilities, particularly taking care of her 2-year-old child, and didn’t put excessive pressure on herself for reviews.

Did you have any strategies in studying for the exam that helped you understand your notes better?

She focused on comprehension and analysis, especially for Professional Education, and relied on existing knowledge for her major subject.

What difficulties did you face in preparing for the exam? How did you better remember complex terms and lessons? Did you improve your memory in any way?

I faced challenges in preparing for the exam, particularly related to memorizing hard terms and lessons. However, I concentrated on the topics outlined in the new Test of Subjects (TOS). On the day before the exam, I realized it was all about the old TOS. During the exam, I remained relaxed, focused, and prayed when encountering challenging questions.

How stressed were you in preparing for the exam? How did you manage your stress?

I experienced significant stress a month before the exam due to factors such as my visa not being renewed, fatigue from work, and the responsibility of taking care of my child at home. This stress led to irregular review sessions. Sometimes, I found it difficult to focus on studying.

Have you procrastinated on your review? How did you manage procrastination? How did you motivate yourself?

Yes, there were instances of procrastination during my review. To motivate myself, I would remind myself that I could do it and that this was meant for me.

How important is preparing for the SPLE (or other exams)? Can you say that you are well prepared? How so?

She stressed the high importance of being well-prepared for the SPLE or any other exam, acknowledging that more thorough preparation might have resulted in a higher score.

How did you act during the exam? What were your thoughts during the exam?

During the exam, she remained calm, focused, employed a systematic approach, and prayed when encountering challenging questions.

Where did you gain the strength that helped you pass the exam?

Her strength came from her family, determination, and belief in our Creator.

Did you search for and use guides and tips in your preparation? How effective were they?

She primarily sought guides on answering questions correctly and shading the answer sheet, practicing these methods a day before the exam.

How did passing the exam benefit you in terms of your work, your life, your family, and yourself?

Passing the exam made her proud and is a source of pride for her family. It represents another achievement and milestone in her life, opening up new opportunities in teaching.