? for teachers...National Board Certification?

[Aurora63]

Anyone here do it? I'm thinking about going for it this year. What are your thoughts on the process, and do you now feel it was worth it? Tell me whatever you think/know about it. Thanks!

 

[tubachick]

Anyone here do it? I'm thinking about going for it this year. What are your thoughts on the process, and do you now feel it was worth it? Tell me whatever you think/know about it. Thanks!

I have not done it but a close friend has and it was a lot of work, but well worth it (in her words) I will be doing it next year after I finish this second masters. They did not offer one in special ed until a few years ago, so now I am gonna try too.

 

[vetrik]

My mother was a state coordinator for National Board for many years, and then went to work for them directly in Washington DC. Although she left that job a couple years ago, she is still very devoted to the organization. My mother-in-law is a National Board certified teacher, although she retired last year. I'm not a teacher, but I'm pretty familiar with the process!

I know it is a lot of work - a lot of writing, classroom taping, etc. Everyone I know has said it it very worth it though - beyond any financial advantages (I know in the district where my mom and mother-in-law taught they received additional pay for being National Board Certified) they learned a lot about themselves and their teaching. I would suggest finding out if your state has a National Board coordinator (like my mom used to do). That person was a huge support to teachers going through the process, and would be a big help in discussing how to get started, what to expect, etc.

 

[jpmandan]

I know it is a lot of work - a lot of writing, classroom taping, etc. Everyone I know has said it it very worth it though - beyond any financial advantages (I know in the district where my mom and mother-in-law taught they received additional pay for being National Board Certified) they learned a lot about themselves and their teaching. I would suggest finding out if your state has a National Board coordinator (like my mom used to do). That person was a huge support to teachers going through the process, and would be a big help in discussing how to get started, what to expect, etc.

NBCT here! I agree with the above poster! Just going through the process of Nat'l Board Certification will make you a better teacher. I highly recommend it. Read the Standards. If you are thinking, "I do that!" while reading them, you will do fine.

Visit this site to get started and to check about your state's support:
http://www.nbpts.org/

You don't mention which certificate you're interested in, but I hold an Early Childhood Generalist. PM me if you'd like some help in that area!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

do any of you know how important contributing to the community is--and if contributing to your own community counts if you don't live where you work? I do almost nothing after hours where I teach because it's a 1/2 hour commute and I have my own kids, but I have been dance chaperone coordinator for the jr. high parents and a former soccer commisioner where I LIVE. I would hate to do all that work and get rejected because of that--when I initially read the stuff that's what scared me off.
Robin M.

 

[DisneyTeacher]

My DH is a NBPTS teacher and I know it was a ton of work when he did it. He now works at the state level helping other teachers go through the process. I'll have him reply with more information if you are interested.

 

[Ratpack]

I am NBC with Middle Childhood. It is a lot of writing, rewriting, rewriting, etc. However, it has changed some from when I did it 5 years ago. I had 6 entries instead of the 4, I think, they have now. My DD was about 2 when I went through it and we moved twice and built a house. I wouldn't suggest having the additional stressors when you do it. Ha!

My state, at the time, paid for us to go through the process AND offered a $$ bonus each year of the certification. I have since moved to SC and they, too, offer the bonus and I didn't have to go through any additional certification paperwork to teach here.

Now, I don't have my master's yet. I think I might try that in another year or two. Once my little babies are older. I am not sure I can handle all of the extra work right now.

I say- Go for it! Find a support group to help you in going through the process. Lots of readers, editors, etc. AND really pay attention to what it is asking and the fine details of logistics of fonts, spacing, etc. That is really important for the score!!!

 

[jpmandan]

For most certificates, Entry 4: Documented Accomplishments is about how your work outside the classroom has influenced student learning. Entry 4 is a large part of your portfolio, BUT it may not make or break your overall success in accomplishing NBC. Each part ( 4 portfolio entries & 6 test questions) is scored on a scale of 0 to 4. Your total score (average of all 10 parts) must be 2.75 or better to be certified. If you don't score well on one part, your other strengths may buoy you to success anyway!

 

[DisneyTeacher]

Hi. I am Disney Teacher's husband, I earned certification in 2000. I was also a coordinator for a number of years, when our numbers were low, and people needed support. The process involves a serious look at your teaching, writing, videotape analysis and a lot of revision. Without a doubt, it helped me become a more critical thinker. During NBCT candidacy, you will be forced to take a hard look at what you do, explain why you do it, as well as how you know what to do and why. It is a great deal of work.

I also suggest that if you choose to attempt this, and I think everyone should at least look at the process, you should check our http://www.nbpts.org. This is the official website. There are several deadlines you have to be aware of, and I know some of them are already past. You will also want to check to see if your state offers any assistance, as it cost over $2000 to pay for the certification.

Also, you want to be sure that you have a lot of support. Not just with other candidates and mentors, but from you administration and, most importantly, your family. I know I couldn't have done it without my wife, who took care of everything at home.

Good luck. I can say that it has opened several doors for me, and it has been well worth all the time and effort.

 

[DisneyTeacher]

Sorry, one more very important detail.

The assessors will not be interested in any thing you have done or do, if it DOES NOT have some direct impact on your classroom. This is critical in entry 4 (Documented Accomplishments). The community that is referred to in the entire learning community, not community activities like Rotary or church groups, unless they directly impact what is going on in the classroom.

This has been a major point, and people have trouble with it. An example would be a Master's Degree. Simply having a Master's Degree (or PhD) has absolutely no baring on whether you succeed with NPBTS. However, something as seemingly minor as helping other colleagues in cross-curricular activities (especially if you are the leader) can really count.

The reason that I point this out is that every candidate that I have mentored over the past 6 years has struggled with entry 4. It can take a long time to collect all the information and to decide what contributions and artifacts are significant.

 

[bobcat]

This is great info. I have thought about doing this when my kids are a little older.