Component 3: Good Ideas from Your Mentors

The mentors had a discussion about, well... discussion.  Specifically about the classroom discourse that is the focal point of Component 3, where you demonstrate how you facilitate classroom discourse in the teaching of your content.  They suggested a more structured approach and thinking about strategies---because without carefully crafting our lesson, what we envision as discussion can quickly become teacher-centered talk or even lecture when the students in our classrooms take the easy way out and we allow them to wear us down!  The way to avoid doing all the work in the classroom is to use our strategies.

Here is a link to a great article and podcast.  I love what Jennifer Gonzales says about her advice to student teachers who wrote "Discussion" in their lesson plans. As a host teacher to student teachers, I often said the same thing.  Then why do I often forget about it when I  teach?  :-)

I'm in the Boat

I wasn't being deceptive... but I had not yet paid for my renewal.  It's $1250 and I won't be able to get the money back until I actually "make it."  That will be next December.

For some reason I was stalling.  I went to the renewal class last year so I understand what's involved.  But it seemed like I was too busy--

Does this sound at all familiar?  :-)

But this morning, on the last day to pay--I did.

So I have to upload all my Profile of Professional Growth (which has 4 mini-components called PGEs) by May 18th.

I'm officially in the boat with you although I liked to pretend I didn't need to do this!  It will be good for me, I am sure.

Just wanted to be honest and accountable to you guys.  xoxo  Joetta

Someone Asked for A "Kick in the Pants"

Because the survey evaluation of semester1 support was anonymous, I don't know who wanted one... but really, my job is organized so that I can spend some time helping you get started.  So anytime you need more structure, just email me.  I (or your mentor) will be glad to come to your school and sit with you while you figure out some things.  Ultimately, it's up to you.  But if you need some extra help, you can always ask.  :-)

Go, go, go...

So the old cheer is:

Go, go, go--
go, go
go, go!  

Fight, fight, fight--
fight, fight
fight, fight!  

Win, win, win--
win, win,
win, win!

Some of you may be too young to know about this cheer.  I feel like cheering you on.  Or cheering you up!

A teacher said, "I still feel overwhelmed."  My answer was, "It's time to quit being overwhelmed, and I think the way to stop being overwhelmed is going to be to complete the writing of one of your components."

I say that because, after you've done the writing, you will have been through the process with one component.  Now you just repeat for the rest of your components.

Your "Aha-moment" will probably be after you've been through the process at least once.

If you are still overwhelmed, can you take a professional leave day and go somewhere no one will speak to you?  You have four professional leave days available to you.  Since child care is already arranged, can you go somewhere to work?  Can you make yourself write the whole thing?  You will be okay once you get that first draft done.

Go, Fight, Win!

Turn in Reimbursement Paperwork to Me

Susan Steadman has asked that we turn in the reimbursement paperwork for your two NBCT components and your $75 as a group--and as soon as possible.  I would like you to bring it to BMS on February 23rd for the meeting.  If that's not possible, please email me and I will pick it up.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I want to submit them to her by February 29th because there is a limited amount of funds available and the state will reimburse those whose paperwork gets there first.  So far in the state, this hasn't been a problem, yet we want to make sure we get the money back.  I may be double checking with each of you if I don't get anything from you by February 23rd, just in case.  See you soon!

Breaking It Down

When you pay for two components, you can be reimbursed by the state right away (3-6 weeks.)  When you pay for one component, you have to wait till after you pay for another one (next year) to apply for your money back.

Not a problem if that's okay with you.

Whatever components you want to take before August have to be paid for by February 29th.  This means Component 1, also.

If you want to use the $500 the county provides as "seed money" you can pay for one component and file with the county for reimbursement.  However, since that $500 could be used for something else you find essential in this process (for example, I bought a multi-directional microphone to make sure I captured all the class discussion for mine), then you may want to make decisions about your best use of all the available monies.

Sometimes it just comes down to finances, though, and the language of the policy does specifically say the intent is to help eliminate barriers to pursuing national board certification.

Lastly, the state does reimburse additional costs up to $600.  Some people use that for graduate class tuition or any other expenses besides paying for your components.  (I had to use some money to pay a photography shop to transfer my video tape to DVD back in the day, for example.)

I have heard you have not yet been paid for the meetings first semester--I will check on that today.

I am just hoping that this helps you strategize financially.  Happy Teaching!  Joetta

New Deadline for Payment and Registration

The National Board has extended the deadline for payment and registration to February 29th.  You can also change your certification area by then, if you please.  Regardless of when you pay or have paid, remember that you can file for reimbursement from the State of WV right away.

:-)

Reimbursement for NBCT Fees

You can file for reimbursement as soon as you have a receipt for paying for two components to the National Board!

Go here and scroll down to "Form 37."  You do not have to submit before you receive reimbursement for the first half of the total cost (enrollment costs.)  You will get the second half back after you have submitted all four of your components.

So if you have already paid for two components, FILE now!  :-)  I got mine back three weeks after I filed but my friend took 6 weeks to get hers back due to the schedule of the WV legislature that had to vote on it.

:-)

Important Dates

The following chart is applicable to candidates submitting components for scoring during the 2015-16 assessment cycle.

2015-16 Important Dates and Deadlines
Registration Window	May 2015–January 31, 2016
Fee Payment Deadline	January 31, 2016
Change of Certificate and/or Specialty Area	January 31, 2016
Change of Component Selection	January 31, 2016
ePortfolio Submission Window	April 1–May 18, 2016
Withdrawal Deadline	January 31, 2016
Component 1: Content Knowledge Testing Window	March–June 15, 2016
Scores Released	On or before December 31, 2016