WHAT?
National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment
program designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers, and to
embed ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. While state teacher
credentialing programs set the basic requirements to teach in each state,
National Board Certified Teachers must demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge,
skills and practices. Completion of National Board Certification signifies that
teachers have developed and demonstrated the skills required of an accomplished
education professional. (www.nbpts.org)
While attending a few PD’s
on the possibility of pursuing certification, as well as, attending a 3-day
seminar to get started it was stated many times that the process is INTENSE,
and it takes a majority of people 3 years to achieve certification. I’m in it
for the long haul and if you are reading this I hope you are with me too!
You can tell that teachers conducted my 3-day seminar.
WHY?
Achieving certification is a goal
that I have had since student teaching in the most wonderful kindergarten
classroom in the world. My mentor teacher was waiting on her scores to be
released and said, “This will be you one day.” I admit, at the time, I did not
really understand the magnitude of what going through the process really meant.
I was just worried about graduating (and never fainting in front of little ones
on observation day again)! We all know I graduated (had the most wonderful
graduation celebration ever) and spent the next 7 months waiting to land that
dream job. I could go on explaining my teaching career thus far, but that’s for
another day.
At the
end of last year I asked a lot of questions and read a lot of materials on the
National Board process. I have always loved learning new things and always look
to further my education. I have never had the desire to be anything “higher up”
in my profession, but have always hoped to be the BEST teacher I can be. This
helped me decide on National Boards- it’s reflective on my own practice, takes
place in my own classroom, with my own kiddos. The process is in my own hands,
not in the hands of a professor grading my papers or exams. I feel like I work hard day in and day out and
I really want my efforts to be recognized. So here I am…
Yesterday scores were released for last years candidates
and here are some posts I saw on Facebook that stuck a small chord.
· * To those who did not quite hit that "magic
number" I will say this today (as I have said for over a decade)...One
number does NOT define you as a teacher. What you do and say in your classroom
each and every day is your defining point. You did not pass or fail today. You
either accomplished your certification or you have taken the next step forward.
Celebrate every. single. point. you. earned. There are thousands of teachers
out there who were not working as hard to be as reflective as you have been
throughout this process. When your peers begin to ask how you did simply
respond with, "I am one step closer."
· * A year ago I
was doing the same thing you all are doing today!! I helped three teachers in
my school this year and watched some friends go through this!!! I have the same
feeling today as I did this year!!!! Congrats to all who have certified and
attempted!!! If you didn't certify....DON'T GIVE UP!!!!! It will be worth it
and you won't regret it!!!
· *I passed!
What a crazy year. I just cried for 10 minutes - my husband thought I failed!!
· * Remember:
National Boards is about professional development. We're not better teachers
because we made a qualifying score, we are better teachers for having
participated with fidelity in the process. So to new & old NBCTs, new
candidates, and on-going candidates~congrats and best of luck to us all as we
continue our professional journey.
* *Yes...don't
give up...This process is designed to take the full 3 years...those that
achieve on the first attempt are lucky but believe me there are more in the
retake boat than you think. When I didn't achieve the first time I decided to
to slow down and take the full 3 years. I went into year 2 knowing I probably
wouldn't make it that year (and I didn't) but brought my score up to within 5.
I finished year 3 with NO room to spare but I learned so much those final 2
years...way more than I did when I had to to all of it. Think about it...you
have time to make up your mind with your brain and not your heart...
*Next
November, I’ll either be asking you to celebrate with me or asking you to push
me though another year!
xoxo-Kim
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