Clickity-Click,
tap….tap….tap, Click, CLICK, tappity–click.
That is the sound of Washington teachers finalizing their portfolios for
National Board Certification.
The process of National Board Certification involves 4
lengthy portfolio pieces, a combination of analytical and reflective writing;
video submissions; documented accomplishments; and instructional materials.
Additionally, there are 6 assessments on content knowledge at a testing center.
How about some numbers?
Personal hours a candidate spends on their portfolio:
200-400
Paper used: two reams (that’s over a 1,000 sheets!)
Meetings with colleagues @ 3 hours each: 20
Ink cartridges used: 1
Average number of tech problems: 3
Pencils/pens worked to nubs: 6
Coffee: untold amounts
Numbers, although fun to look at, lack humanity and the
power to change. National Board Certified teachers, on the other hand, impact
lives. Right now there are 2,300 teachers in Washington going through the
process of NBPTS.
I facilitate two NBPTS cohorts, one online. I have just returned from one of our meetings. I am invigorated and wanted to share. Right now
candidates are finishing up their portfolios. For most, it was a grueling
process, stressful, challenging. Ask a candidate and they will tell you that it
is not for the proverbial “faint of heart”. However, candidates will speak
highly of the process. It does something to you. The amount of time you spend
analyzing and reflecting on what you do as a teacher to impact students causes
a change.
The process of National Board Certification causes you to
think in the terms of analysis and reflection because it is what you do solidly
for a year. I get emails from former candidates saying how much more
intentional they have become. It is impossible to escape this stronger, more
analytical mindset. Good. And for many NBCTs,
this leads to teacher leadership.
Washington has a reason to be proud. Washington has 2,717
NBCTs in the state. Much of this is the result of the continued support of the
state to strengthen the education system. And who benefits from this? The
students.
To put Washington into perspective, here are the numbers
from three surrounding states, Idaho, Oregon, and California. None of this
information is to imply anything about the teachers within those states, merely
a reflection of the state’s support for improving their education system.
Synthesis of data from 4 documents from NBPTS web site
If you know of a candidate going through the process, give
them a pat on the back. They are making the state education system a greater
place for students.
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Tom, yes, yes we are a lucky state. And those that benefit most are the lucky students.
Great and timely post, Travis. My own cohort group met yesterday for the second-to-last time. Most of the candidates were using the time to finish up their entries and get some much-needed one-on-one help from the facilitators. Some had begun studying for their assessment center exercises. I couldn’t help but reflect on how far these 20 people had come in short a short time.
On the subject, I want to shout out to the three partners in Washington that are pivotal to our astounding certification rate:
1. OSPI: The superintendent’s office is reponsible for training facilitators and granting scholarships. Most candidates in Washington work within a university or district led cohort group.
2. WEA: Our association has taken a huge role in pre-candidacy training by presenting a four-day workshop called Jumpstart. This intense experience takes brand-new candidates from zero to 60, by introducing them to each part of the NB assessment process; all the entries and all the exercises. In addition, the WEA presents Homestretch for candidates later in the year. They get a chance to meet in small groups with a certified teacher in their own field and ask those “burning questions” about all aspects of their assessment process. The WEA also played a powerful role in securing the NB bonus, getting it written into law and getting it “pensionable.”
3. CSTP: They take over where OSPI and WEA leave off, helping newly-certified teachers find teacher leadership roles and then developing their skills in those roles. For most new NBCTs, this begins with the famous Teacher Leadership Conference at the Sleeping Lady Retreat Center in Leavenworth; reason enough to pursue NB certification!
When it comes to support and opportunities for National Board certification, we’re a lucky state.
Nancy, thanks for the insight as to the principal certification. I think it will be a hard (initial) sell. Principals, being the figure-heads of the school, do have a larger risk in the certification process. What if they did not certify the first time? Would they be looked on as less than effective? Yes. Is that fair? No.
I imagine it would be safer for a principal to not even try the certification process, less chance of failure if you don’t do it. However, that is one aspect, just like in teachers certifying, that shows the accomplishment.
On a side note, I wonder if more principals on the east coast or west coast will go for the certification. In my part of the country, the west coast, principals with a PHD are unique. This is not a statement as to their skill, just the level of certification pursued. My father-in-law is a principal on the east coast (with a PHD) and I have been told that this is the norm. Just some interesting data for a hypothesis.
I am excited for anything that adds strength and professionalism to education. I feel passionately about education and want the public system to serve its students well.
Great, informative post, Travis. I especially liked the table of information– very revealing. About the NB administrative certificate now in the planning stages:
I used to do presentations for NBPTS to administrators at conferences, about NB Certification. I would do my “here’s what having NBCTs in your building can do for you and for student learning” pitch. And the first question out of the box, invariably, would be: “When will there be a National Board certificate for Principals?” So, there’s a great deal of interest, much more than how to use teachers with demonstrated instructional expertise (NBCTs) to lead their colleagues.
But I’m wondering about the who-evaluates-who dynamic. Principals are used to evaluating their colleagues, and a principal who sat for certification would arguably be taking a bigger risk than a teacher who sits for certification. If the principal’s assessment had the same initial success rate (below 50%), I am wondering how many of them would go for round 2? Perhaps the assessment will not include a banking/re-take model (the first incarnation of NB Cert for teachers didn’t)–but the idea that this assessment measures “leadership” rather than instructional expertise puts a whole new spin on the kind of risk-taker who would want to have their work assessed.
J. Broekman, no worries, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. There is a link mid-way through the post. Cheers.
Forgive my ignorance, but what does NBPTS stand for?
@Springy Yamasaki, I like the idea you share. Making the video part of the discussion between a principal and a teacher. It would be like a coach and an athlete reviewing game footage. This is so much more beneficial the a dog-and-pony show with paper signed at the end. I value your commitment to enriching the school. Additionally, to be a principal excited for the National Principal Certification also speaks well of your place in the system of education. I have not meet any principal who said they (1) want to do this or (2) will do it. I am curious as to the reluctance to go through the process by a number of principals. Thanks for supporting your NBPTS candidates.
Five outstanding teachers at Skyridge Middle School are in process of working on their National Boards. Four of the five requested that I review their video tapes. In the eight and half years of completing staff evaluations, the collaboration of watching the videos and talking about best teaching practices, this was by far the most beneficial conversation to the teacher. I am watching these teachers excel in their profession and they truly earn the extra stipend that comes with the certification. I am anxiously awaiting the National Principal certification.