National Board Certification

[jsfowler]

Who out there has their NBC? What was your focus area? What was required? How much time did it take? How often did you work on it?

I just finished my Masters and will work on my NBC next year. I just want to know what I am in for from people who have actually done it.

[bstack]

My focus area was early adolescent social studies-history. It was a rigorous process. It was more NBCT mentor program. It is also helpful to work with someone else who is going through the process that can videotape and put together your portfolio entries to mail.

[clairbear111]

I am currently working on my National Board Certification in the Generalist Early Childhood Area. I have already turned in my porfolio but will take the test June 9th. It has been a lot of work, but I've learned a lot in the process. I had to film myself teaching two seperate lessons and write about my teaching during this time. Just remember that National Board does not want perfect. Mistakes in your filming, students off task, etc... is what they want to see; it gives you more to write about. I suggest searching for a listserve in Yahoo Groups for the area of certification you are working on. I've found the Early Childhood Group SOOOO beneficial. You can post questions, get answers, see problems other are facing, etc... Good luck! I can't wait until Dec. to see if I pass!

[mhgraham]

I certified in World Lnaguages in 2004. I did certify the first time but really invested a lot of time in the process.

[Chef Dave]

Does anyone know whether states recognize board certification for state certification purposes? In other words, if crossing state lines in search of a new teaching jos, do persons with board certification still have to jump through all of the hoops required by the state department of education to qualify for state certification?

Wouldn't it be nice if board certification trumped state certification requirements? (sigh)

[Karenrbw]

I think most states still require the hoops. In some states, NBC leads to a significant raise in salary. When I was teaching in NC, you got 8% across the board for a masters degree and 12% for NBC. So if you did both, you just got a 20% raise. If I was still there, you can bet I would have done it. Our state doesn't offer any financial incentives for National Board Certification and they wonder why no one is doing it and huge numbers of teachers in NC are completing it.

[Chef Dave]

Hmmmmm ... I don't know of anyone who wouldn't mind a 20% pay hike. I already have my Master's ... but sadly ... there is no board certification for chef instructors.

Ah well ... (sigh)

BTW, I did some checking and by Federal law, anyone with board certification meets the state requirement for being "highly qualified."

Even if you aren't in a state that offers bonuses for board certification, being "highly qualified" should (in theory) give you a competitive advantage when looking for a new job.

[jsfowler]

In my research for national boards, I found that you can do a Take One! program. Here, you only complete one category your first year to help you get started. I am forcing myself to take a year off because this year was crazy! I will decide next year if I am going to "take one" or just jump in head first...knowing me, I will jump head first; however, I think Take One! is a great program that people should look into.

[seastarmath]

I got my national boards in preadolescent math four years ago. The 12 percent pay hike was great! It really wasn't all that hard if you know the standards. THe hardest part was opening the packages and getting organized. If you read the rubrics, the papers practrically write themselves. Of course you absolutely must understand the standards for your area and include them in all your lessons. Finding time for reflection is the hard part. Time and organization will get you through. Answer the questions in the order they are asked. Dont skirt around the issues: hit them head on. If you are wavering, go ahead and download the portfolios to see what would be required. Lots of people would explain it to you. Our state not only gives you a raise if you get NCBT; they PAY the fee and even give you a few days off school to work on it. I sometimes feel stressed, however, because I know where I am expected to lead my students but the people who create those expectations have no idea of the reality in the daily classroom.

[MDTeach]

Hi! I've heard of national boards, but what I want to know is what exactly are they? Also, what are the advantages of having one?

[cadreamer]

I'm with MD Teach.

Was it actually helpful to your teaching practice? Or was it just a lot of busy work?

We do have a financial incentive to complete this process - but before jumping in I just want to know if the amount of work was worth the results you saw in your own teaching strategies.

[seastarmath]

I think the process did help me. It made me more reflective and open to more developments. It also boosts your confidence.

Now I might think differently if I didn't get the pay raise that went with it or had to pay for the process out of my own pocket.

Some universities give up to nine hours of graduate credit for getting your board certification. If I were going to get my masters, it would have DEFINITELY been worth it money wise.

I am NOT getting masters, though. I am too close to retirement to recoup financially what getting a masters would cost. But if I were young and got my NBCT, I would definitely want to go further.