Poem

This poem was shared by Constance Higgonbotham from the SCEA at our NB liaison meeting yesterday.  

The National Board Cuts

(Adapted by Constance Higginbotham from the SCEA from Cat in the Hat)

These National Board cuts

These National Board cuts

We do not like these National Board cuts.

Do you like these National Board cuts?

We do not like these National Board cuts;

We do not like them very much.

Would you like them here or there?

We would not like them here or there.

We would not like them anywhere.

We do not like these National Board cuts

We do not like them very much.

Would you like them for our schools?

Would you like them as a rule?

We would not like them for our schools.

We would not like them as a rule.

We would not like them here or there.

We would not like them anywhere.

We do not like these National Board cuts

We do not like them very much.

Would you like them for just one year?

Could you support them without fear?

We would not like them for just one year.

We could not support them without fear.

We would not like them for our schools.

We would not like them as a rule.

We would not like them here or there.

We would not like them anywhere.

We do not like these National Board cuts

We do not like them very much.

Complain! Complain!

Would you could you and not complain?

We would not could not and not complain.

Give me a minute I will explain.

National Board is a program

That’s been around for years

Where teachers are scored by their peers.

Not just portfolios; Not just some test;

But reflection of their practice

Makes this process the best.

South Carolina is number three

We’re making progress can’t you see?

We’re improving instruction in our classes

And raising test scores for our lads and lasses.

This program allows us to recruit and retain

The very best so students can gain.

You may like these National Board cuts

Just wait and see.

They are not good for students; listen to our plea.

Hear us, hear us; give us your trust.

Change your mind you truly must.

Research says it’s good for our classes

And raises scores for our lads and lasses.

We do not like these National Board cuts.

We do not like them very much.

We would not, could not and not complain.

Not when our students often show gain.

We would not like them for just one year.

We could not support them without fear.

We would not like them for our schools.

We would not like them as a rule.

We would not like them here or there.

We would not like them anywhere.

We do not like these National Board cuts

We do not like them very much.

Look at our work; See what we’ve done.

With your funding and support

We will all have won!

National Board Renewal

I went through the NB Renewal process last year and am happy to say that I did re-certify.  My mother, who is supposed to be my biggest fan, made me the most nervous.  She kept asking me what would happen if I (as Program Director for NB at CERRA) did not re-certify.  I'm glad I didn't have to answer her question.

As you probably expect, the renewal process is rigorous.  I spent time planning, writing, and reflecting but in a weird way it was fun.  We never have the opportunity to reflect upon everything we have done as educators.  The renewal process gave me that opportunity and allowed me to see how my choices have impacted students.  The thoughts below are my reminders and suggestions about the process.

The renewal instrument documents your professional growth over the last 8-9 years.  Your job is to submit evidence linking your professional growth to student achievement.  Remember the student is at the center of everything we do.

You must renew in the same area as your original certificate.  You should begin the process as an 8th year NBCT because if you allow your NB certificate to expire you must begin the entire process over again.   Your portfolio of professional growth is due on April 30th.

I would suggest that you review the Core Propositions, the Architecture of Accomplished Teaching, and the current standards for your certificate before you begin.  Make sure that your professional growth experiences have evolved, are varied and/or multifaceted, and have been a focus over an extended period of time.  When I started trying to determine which professional growth experiences I wanted to include in my portfolio I wrote everything I had been involved with over the last 8 years on separate notecards.  I gave the notecards to some of my coworkers and asked them what I had forgotten.  Once I had my stack of notecards finished, I started categorizing them by patterns and/or connections.  The piles became my professional growth experiences.

Your renewal application will be read holistically by one assessor.  Therefore, you do not need to repeat information in each entry.  You only need to say something one time, which will save you a good bit of space. Your scores will be reported as renewed or not renewed.  There is no opportunity to bank scores.

I promise this process is not bad at all!  Let me know if I can help you as you move forward. 

Videotaping for NB

Everyone who goes through the NB process must record and submit two videos (one for Take One! candidates).  I hated videotaping myself as both an initial and renewal candidate.  I just knew I was skinnier, my hair was less grey, and my voice was less annoying than it appeared in the video!  Once you get past these types of thoughts you will find the videotaping process to be extremely beneficial.  In this blog I want to give some hints and suggestions that may help you.  Please feel free to send your questions to me at hallmanj@cerra.org or post them below.  Good luck!

• Make sure you have a signed NB Student Release form and a signed NB Adult Release form (think assistants, student teachers) for every person who appears in your video.
• Use a separate microphone, especially when you are working with small groups.
• Position the video camera on the side of your classroom and use the wide angle lens so that you can "see" as many students as possible.  It is not necessary for every student to be visible in the video.
• If you are having someone record for you, ask them to wear headphones.  This way they can hear exactly what is being recorded.  There is nothing worse than a great video with no sound!
• Practice videotaping but always adhere to the NB standards.  You never know - your practice video may become the video you decide to submit.  Also, the NB standards should become a part of who you are as a teacher.  We don't do these things just to certify.  
• Your video does not have to be the first 15 minutes of your lesson.  You should select the 15 minutes (or whatever amount of time your certificate requires) that best showcases your teaching.  
• The first 3-5 minutes of a new tape are always less clear than the remainder of the tape. 
• Tell the office you are recording and place a sign on your door so you are not interrupted.  
• It takes your camera about 5 seconds to start recording after you hit the record button.
• Analyze your videotapes!  Begin by watching the tape without sound.  What does your class look like?  Then listen to the tape without watching the screen.  What does your class sound like?  Finally, use both senses and watch and listen to the tape.  Use the Evaluation of Evidence Guide for your certificate and the entry you are working on to help you analyze the video.  The Evaluation of Evidence Guide is available at  http://www.nbpts.org/for_candidates/scoring.  You should also refer to the questions related to analyzing videos which are listed in the general portfolio instructions  http://www.nbpts.org/for_candidates/the_portfolio.

Your videos are important because they allow NB to see the interaction that occurs between you and your students and between students.  It also gives them a view of how you engage students in their learning and the climate in your classroom.  Your analysis of the video is just as important.  

Deadline Extensions

Please see the information below from NB concerning deadlines!  

Deadline Extension:

Good news! If you are participating in the 2011-12 assessment cycle:

• First time candidates: Eligibility Verification Forms and full payment of assessment fees accepted through Feb 29 
• Advanced candidates: Applications accepted through Feb 15; full payment of retake fees accepted through Feb 29 
• Take One!: Full payment of Take One! fees accepted through Feb 29 
• Renewal: Applications accepted through Feb 15; full payment of renewal fees accepted through Feb 29