Getting Started

For those of you who have already applied to participate in the National Board Certification process for the 2012-2013 school year, I wanted to offer some advice about how you can begin preparing this summer.  National Board materials make for great beach and poolside reading!  I would suggest that you visit the National Board website at www.nbpts.org and download and print the following materials:  The Guide to NB Certification; The Scoring Guide; The National Board Standards for your certificate; the general and certificate specific portfolio instructions.  Take some time this summer to read, highlight, and beginning processing all of this information.

You may want to begin organizing yourself for the work you are going to complete.  I would suggest that you create a folder for each of the 10 entries.  For entries 1-4, place a copy of the portfolio instructions related to that entry in each folder.  For the assessment center exercises (entries 5-10,) place a copy of the exercise description in the appropriate folder.  As you come across ideas, data, articles, etc. that apply to each particular entry put it in the correct folder.  This is especially important for the assessment center exercises.  For example, if you are reading an article that talks about teaching math and you know math is one of your assessment center topics, put the article in the math entry folder so that you can refer to it before you go to the assessment center.  You should also start a master binder that is subdivided for each of the portfolio entries.  Print off the cover sheets, classroom layout forms etc. (found in your certificate specific portfolio instructions) and put them in the correct order in your binder.  Refer to the final inventory forms (also found in your certificate specific portfolio instructions) to complete this task.  Place a sheet of paper behind each cover sheet and indicate how many pages of information will be included.  When you are ready, remove the sheet of paper and place the actual entry in its place.

Buy yourself a paper calendar for the 2012-2013 school year or set up an online calendar this summer.  The NB process takes time.  You will not be able to complete this work over spring break so you must make time for it.  Use the information below to begin planning for this process.


Mark Your Calendars

• † Circle and label the Portfolio due date. 
• † Mark the day you would like to ship your portfolio (plan to submit it prior to the deadline date).  Candidates underestimate the time it takes to “pack” the portfolio. Mark a “’Packing Day” 2 or 3 days before your planned shipping date. 
• † Mark out days that you already know you have previous commitments which would prohibit your working on the portfolio. Schedule in the non-negotiable events (anniversary, birthdays etc., football games, whatever is important to you).
• † Use a highlighter to note times that will be very busy for you and may limit the amount of time you can spend working on your portfolio. This could be a certain day of the week when you have commitments or it could be over a period of time when you know you will be busy, such as over holidays or a busy time at school. 
• † Make a bold circle around days that may be especially good days for focused work on your portfolio. This might be a certain day of the week when you have no other obligation, a time when the house will be empty or a break from school. Make every attempt to designate, and hold sacred, portfolio work days. 
• † Pencil in dates for lessons/units you may showcase in each of your student-based entries. Or, pencil in all units, superimposing your long-range plans onto this calendar. Highlight the ones that would allow you to best demonstrate the NB standards.  
• † Mark dates to practice videotaping so that you and your students can be accustomed to the equipment.  
• † Make a commitment to begin one or more entries and mark it on your calendar. (Many candidates begin with Entry 4, Documented Accomplishments as this entry may be completed without collecting any evidence from the classroom.) 
• † Mark dates for any NB support workshops that may be available in your area. 
• † Mark dates to meet with other NBCTs in your school or district and determine what to bring for feedback, for example: Instructional Context, videotaped lesson, the Categories chart for Entry 4, etc. 
• † Use the NB Portfolio timeline to block out time for different aspects of the portfolio. 
• † Mark the last day for the Assessment Center. 
• †Schedule celebrations or rewards for work accomplished!

Upcoming National Board Sessions

CERRA is proud to sponsor a series of FREE regional National Board Awareness and Getting Started combination sessions across the state in June 2012.  These combined sessions are appropriate for teachers interested in learning more about National Board Certification and beginning their work on the NB portfolio.  Each session is limited to 30 participants and advanced registration is required.  The sessions will be facilitated by Jenna Hallman, NBCT and CERRA Program Director for National Board, Brett Vaughn, NBCT or Meike McDonald, NBCT. The session dates and locations are listed below.  Most sites are offering a morning and an afternoon session.  The sessions are identical and interested parties do not need to attend both the morning and afternoon workshops.  Teachers are welcome to attend any session in the state.  Please click on the link listed for the session you wish to attend.  You will be redirected to the registration page.  Please check your spam folder if you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours. 

Region 1 Sessions:  June 22, 2012

Location:  Auditorium at the University Center, Greenville, SC     

Directions: http://www.ucgreenville.org/contact/location-a-directions.html

Morning Session (9:00—11:45):  https://cerra.wufoo.com/forms/z7s7r5/

Afternoon Session (1:00 - 3:45):  https://cerra.wufoo.com/forms/z7s7m7/

Presenter:  Brett Vaughn

 

Region 2 Sessions:  June 7, 2012

Location:  Joe Adair Outdoor Education Center

                     110 Scout Creek Court Laurens, SC

Morning Session (10:00 – 12:30): https://cerra.wufoo.com/forms/z7s7a9/

Presenter:  Jenna Hallman

 

Region 3 Sessions:  June 13, 2012

Location:  Olympia Center, Richland School District One

                      621 Bluff Road Columbia, SC

Morning Session (9:00 - 11:45) :  https://cerra.wufoo.com/forms/z7s6k1/

Afternoon Session (1:00 - 3:45): https://cerra.wufoo.com/forms/z7s6p3/

Presenter:  Jenna Hallman

 

Region 4 Session:  June 20, 2012

Location:  Poyner Center (room 2-A)

                     319 South Dargon Street, Florence SC

Session (2:00 - 4:30): https://cerra.wufoo.com/forms/z7s6s5/

Presenter:  Jenna Hallman

 

Region 5 Sessions:  June 13, 2012  National Board Awareness Only 

Location:  Garrett Academy of Technology (library)

                      2731 Gordon Street, North Charleston, SC

 Morning Session (10:30 - 11:30):  https://cerra.wufoo.com/forms/z7s6q7/

Presenter:  Meike McDonald

 

 CERRA Online Awareness, Support & Renewal Sessions

CERRA is proud to host a series of FREE online National Board awareness and support sessions.  The sessions will be facilitated by Jenna Hallman, NBCT and CERRA Program Director for National Board or Brett Vaughn, NBCT.  The session descriptions and meeting dates are listed below.  All sessions will be held online.   Please click on the link listed for the session you wish to attend.  You will be redirected to the GoToWebinar registration page.  You will receive the login instructions for your webinar once you complete the registration.  Please check your spam folder if you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours.  There is no need to register for multiple sessions on the same topic.  The information presented in each session will be the same. 

 National Board Awareness and Support Sessions:

National Board Awareness- Are you interest in learning more about the National Board process?  If so, this session is for you.  During our time together we will discuss the requirements of the process, the current legislation governing National Board supplements, the financial assistance available, and answer any questions you may have.  Advanced registration is required.  Please register at:

May 29th (4:00 - 5:15) - Awareness: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/153484128

July 12th (10:00 - 11:15 am) - Awareness:  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/955494064

August 1st (10:00 - 11:15 am) - Awareness:  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/451161209

 

Support Session

This is a reminder that PSTA is sponsoring a National Board Workshop on April 28^th from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Palmetto State Teachers Association building in downtown Columbia.

The workshop is led by Brett DeLoach Vaughn.  She has conducted candidate support workshops and trainings in South Carolina for nine years.

The April 28^th workshop will focus on “Preparing for the Assessment Center” – Assessment Center, Scoring Guide, Assessment at a Glance, Standards.

Interested persons can register for the event by visiting www.palmettoteachers.org and clicking on the Events tab or by calling our office at 803-256-2065. Cost is $25 for PSTA members and $50 for non-members.

Please pass the word!  Thank you very much!

The power is in the process

I just received the following message from Trevor I., a NB candidate in Sumter, and thought that I would share his thoughts on the NB process (with his permission of course).  I met Trevor at and Awareness meeting arranged by the district NB liaison and am thrilled to hear that his box is in the mail!

Last Saturday - March 31 - I packaged the contents of my portfolio & mailed it off to the National Boards scoring center in San Antonio. Attached, you'll find a few pictures as the morning-long process unfolded with the finished product and a few special ladies who were on hand to offer their assistance (my mentor, mother, and aunt). Before devoting my attention to the second part of the NB Process, the examination, it is with due diligence that I share with you - my support group - the following reflection as I bring closure to the first half of this yearlong journey. 

I have participated in numerous professional development activities in my five years of classroom teaching experiences. My participation was mandated in some, but, for some, I purposefully sought out my inclusion! However, none surpasses the role that the National Boards for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) process has positively impacted my direct growth as a teacher and learner and advanced my students' learning. Many of you reading this email are teachers and, therefore, appreciate the inherent value of reflective practice. However, I sought out many of you with no ties to the profession to read through several of my entries to ensure that what was written could be visualized and was communicated with clear, consistent, and convincing evidence. Generally speaking, teachers generally have little practice in description, analysis, and reflecting, since it is not part of the daily (coerced) practice of teaching. Back in my undergraduate studies at USC, I learned that thinking analytically about teaching is complicated because teaching itself is complicated. Yet, through the actions of some of my first mentors - Sherry B, Marilyn I, & Jay B - I became convinced that reflection leads to better action and that reflective teachers are, consequently, more effective teachers. 

The National Board certification process has simply been the most intense and and influential personal & professional development activity that I have been engaged in. The NBPTS process recognizes that teaching is an art and that to grow as artists, teachers need opportunities to ponder, look, and listen in order to effectively scrutinize their teaching practice. The first part of this journey was the portfolio, which is developed around a highly structured set of four entries that allowed me the opportunity to present my actual classroom practices over a defined period of time. Through four entries specific to my domain as a middle school science teacher, I chose artifacts that document my teaching "prowess" and wrote extensive commentaries, analyses, and interpretations about the work I am engaged in with scholars in my classroom and beyond. Reflection is a critical aspect that was embedded in each entry prompt. 

This entire process stimulated a personal, reflective inquiry into my own teaching practice and has not only advanced my own learning but, more importantly, the learning for my scholars. I thank you for the role you played - whetherdirect or indirect - in helping me to complete the first half of the National Boards journey. My National Boards teaching examination is scheduled for Thursday, June 14. I will keep you updated in the coming months. 

My best, 

Trevor

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.