Have You Had Your "A-Ha" Moment?

We made a big deal of this idea at the beginning of this journey--that it was a developmental process.  Just as your students will understand a concept in their own time, so will you--understand the National Board certification process.

We asked you to be patient with yourself and allow your understanding to build as you read your standards, began your tasks, analyzed your data...

You will have an "a-ha" moment.  Some people have their moment in February or March of the first year.  Some people have theirs about the time they are submitting their work.  That's why I like the 1-3 year window for completing this process.  If you haven't had your moment, then you are not halted in the middle of it--you have another year to think and plan and grow.  I've heard about a concept sort of like this in elementary education.  Maybe looping or maybe multi-age classrooms.  Or maybe it's just being learner-centered.

So, I was talking with a candidate who said, "I think I've had my a-ha moment."  I remember when I was in my cohort for my first certification.  One of my cohort members had her moment in late February.  We could tell she understood the process in a way we didn't.  We were sort of jealous.  There was nothing she could do to hurry us along.  But I'm thinking it's kind of like when the other first graders start losing their baby teeth--you'll be cutting adult teeth soon, too!  When the first leaf changes color, the rest rapidly follow.  And then, there's that Young.  Green.  Leaf.  still on the tree at the beginning of December.

Who cares?  Just enjoy your own journey.  Try to enjoy your process.  Enjoy your time to invest in your kids and your teaching.  Don't pull out your own teeth-- or your hair!
 ;-)

TED Talks for Inspiration

Check out this link to We Are Teachers.  It has links to 12 Must-See TED Talks for Teachers!

And, while we're at it, here's a great video about children with ADHD.  (If you can't see it in this window, try the link below.)

She's Not Sick, She's a Dancer

a little NBCT humor from Amy Hinkle...

How many NB candidates does it take to screw in a light bulb? Just 1 but all the others must watch so they can describe, analyze, and reflect on the process.

Compassion

I think National Board Certified teachers are concerned about the "whole child."  Here's an article about what that might mean.

In other news, now you have committed to a certain number of components and you're eyeing your upload date, May 18th or so...

Mentors are available  on March 21st at BMS and March 23rd at RCB from 3:30-4:30 for one-to-one meetings.  Or, spend your time working through ideas with a cohort member.  And call or email if you need anything.

The payment for Spring graduate classes through Concord for your component are due at the April meetings, which will be held on the 4th and the 6th.

Payment Due by January 31st

Good morning!  Many of you have double-checked with me that all payments for components are due by the 31st to the National Board.

Print your receipts from your profile on the website and bring them with you to the next meeting.  If you bring a completed Form 37, I will help you file for reimbursement-- I can take your forms to Susan Steadman the next day.  You can also take them yourself or pony them, if you wish.

You will be reimbursed after you've paid for your first two components now, and for two more when you complete the process.

Dear Cathy, I Quit

Lesley Morgan sent this link for your reading pleasure. Thanks, Lesley.

If you are considering candidacy or if you are a current candidate, read this. :-)

Welcome, 2017!

A new year and a new you.  :-)
You, who are investing in your classroom teaching and your students now more than ever.
You, who are investing in yourself, too!

Before January 31st, you will decide which Components to pay for.  Even if you are taking the test (Component 1) in May or June, you have to pay for it by January 31st.

Here are some important dates and deadlines from the Guide to NB Certification:

Scores are In!

Get ready for a somewhat technical and analytical blog post!

First of all, congratulations! Saturday our Cohort 1 group received their first set of scores.  Many have emailed me to tell me how it went, and others haven't yet, but I did put up an anonymous survey through SurveyMonkey so they can report their scores without having to talk about this very personal experience at this time.  I hope to get the basic data out to you once I've received all the replies.

So far the scores I've seen are encouraging.  The reported scores on Component 1 indicate to me that teachers who've been teaching their content for awhile might find this to be the easiest for them.  (I'm not sure if that will hold for CTE teachers; we'll know more after the first CTE candidates take their test this Spring.)

Don't we all appreciate Cohort 1 who were our "guinea pigs!"  They are the first teachers I know of who submitted entries under the new process.

What should you do now if you are a Cohort 1 member?  Well, as long as you achieved a 1.75 or higher, you don't need to redo your component(s).

40% of your total score comes from Component 1 (yellow area on pie graph.)
60% of your total score comes from the three portfolio-based Components (2,3, and 4.)

There is also an easier, online score calculator linked to your score reports if you received scores. 

If your scores aren't as high as you wanted them to be, take heart!  There was an old program called "Take One" with the National Board.  However, it was unpopular because the first scores were often low!  It discouraged candidates.  You may remember us as mentors emphasizing the developmental nature of the National Board process--you generally get better at understanding what to do with each completed component.  For example, I heard two Cohort 1 candidates discussing how to reflect on Component 4 the other night.  They haven't even begun it yet, but already they can anticipate what they need to do.  Do you know more than you did six months ago?

Good teachers can be hard on themselves.   Those of us who've previously achieved certification would have felt the same as you do if we'd gotten back only our lowest score... but this new process allows for formative assessment.  You don't have to just do the whole kit-n-caboodle wrong and then get smashed flat with a "failure."  Remember that this is potentially a three-year process and you are probably learning a lot.  If you made higher than a 1.75, you are fine.  Can you commit to your guinea-pig-ism and forge the way for those following you?  Ask for help from any mentor if needed.  Talk to trusted cohort members.  You won't be able to seriously assess your potential to pass this thing till this time next year.  Sorry, but get a little rest and then, "Onward!"  Cohort 1, we love you.  And we thank you from the bottoms of our hearts for what you are doing.

Component 4

Component 4 varies a little by certificate area, but overall, you are demonstrating that you can reach out to a community, be a leader, and a learner... as needed to make data-driven decisions about teaching and assessing your students.  For example, here are some questions for AYA Science about the teacher's role as a learner:

0. 3. Participation in Learning Communities (Suggested length: 2 pages) In this section, address the following questions:
   
•   How did you identify the area of need for professional learning? What factors or information did you consider in determining how to meet that need? What impact did addressing the professional learning need have on student learning?
  
•   How did you identify the student need requiring advocacy, collaboration, and/or your leadership? Whom did you work with and what was your role? What factors or information did you consider in determining how to meet the student need? Was the need schoolwide or content-specific? What impact did addressing the student need have on student learning? 
  

This isn't really as different from the "old" documented accomplishments as we may have originally thought, but it does sharpen the focus of your professional development and learning so that it pinpoints your needs in the classroom--teaching your students.

If you need professional development resources for Component 4, maybe there would be opportunities through wvlearns.  Check here to see if there might be PD opportunities to help you with your NBCT goal!