Why Am I Doing This?
By Stephanie Blackburn
During the past two years, I have attended workshops explaining what the National Board Certification process is about, spoken with others who had gone through the process, and done some reading about the rigorous writing that would be required. Last spring, I attended a pre-course for National Certification that further explained the ins and outs of the process. Six other teachers from my building and I attended the three-day course to learn what was entailed in the Board process.
I was instantly hooked! Soon after, I decided that, for my own professional gain, I would attempt the certification process. I saw it as a journey of self-reflection and a validation of what I do in my classroom on a daily basis. I knew that in order to improve my teaching practices I needed to begin scrutinizing those practices and working to improve the techniques I utilize in my classroom.
I decided that the National Board Certification process was the avenue to determine if I was doing the "right things" in my teaching -- a validation I have been searching for for years.
Stephanie Blackburn is working toward National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist. |
Will The Benefits Outweigh The Work?
By Stephanie Capalbo
The decision to undertake the process of National Board Certification was made after much inquiry into how I could best further my education. I had been pursuing a master's degree in education. I conferred with a recently National Board-Certified colleague about the workload, the pros and cons of the process, and the stress involved. After that, it became clear to me that working toward National Board Certification would determine if my current classroom practices are aligned with standards, while working toward a master's degree would have little immediate impact on my actual classroom performance. Another plus of the National Certification process was that many other teachers in my building also were starting the process. The added support system offered a benefit that not all candidates are lucky enough to have.
My reasons for seeking National Board Certification are many; my students and their families are at the forefront. Through this process, on a daily basis I will be looking at my current teaching practices and how they align with standards. In addition, I hope to further open the lines of communication with my students' families, in order to provide them with a sense of ownership in their children's education. I teach at a school with a high poverty level; being honored with National Board Certification will bring honor to my school as well. I expect to experience a sense of pride by demonstrating that great teaching and learning occur at an otherwise overlooked school community.
I have always felt that attempting to educate others without continuing to educate oneself is a futile effort indeed.
Stephanie Capalbo is working toward National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist. |
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Now Is the Time!
By Nicole Chiarello
I first thought about pursuing National Certification last year, but I honestly didn't know anything about the process. After doing some online research, and discovering that several people in our district were going for their National Boards, I became even more interested. At the time, however, I decided to put the idea on the back burner for a while.
The reason the National Boards appealed to me in the first place was because it offered the opportunity for me to become a specialist in the field in which I am working. That opportunity was very important to me, because I love my job. I also realized that the students in my classroom would benefit from my research of best practices; and the parents of my students might be encouraged to communicate with me and with the school on a regular basis. In addition, our district is supporting this important process by providing a stipend, staff development hours, and study/work time.
This year, when the subject of National Certification was brought up again and several of my colleagues expressed an interest in it, I knew that if I was ever going to do it, now was the time. And, with four other teachers in my building going through the process, we would even have our own little support network. I know this will not be an easy task, but the benefits of achieving National Board Certification will be worth it.
Nicole Chiarello is working toward National Board Certification as an Early Childhood through Young Adulthood Exceptional Needs Specialist. |
True Professional Development
By Elizabeth Scheibl
I took on the task of obtaining National Board Certification with the hope that, through the process of evaluating my own teaching, I would see where my areas of strength and need are. I realized that through this process, I would be forced to really reflect on "why" I teach what I teach, the importance of what I teach to the curriculum, what my classroom dynamics are, and what my students get from my teaching.
Working for my National Boards seemed like a great way to ensure that my professional development directly impacts both my students and myself. My hope is that my students and I will grow as learners. I know the process will be long and difficult, but in the end I hope to emerge as a better, more reflective teacher, one who produces students who value education and continue their journey towards becoming life-long learners.
Elizabeth Scheibl is working toward National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist. |
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The Best I Can Be
By Jennifer Sinotte
My decision to pursue National Board Certification was inspired by my dedication to being a life-long learner, and my desire to excel in the field of education. As a teacher, I am always looking for opportunities to gain knowledge and learn best practices.
After becoming interested in the National Certification process and researching the requirements needed to complete the National Boards, I decided that this would be a good year to begin. I love to learn, and this process provides an opportunity to reflect on my own teaching. The process is very time consuming, but whatever the result, it can only be beneficial for me. If I complete the process successfully, however, my students and my school also will benefit because I will have become the best teacher I can be.
Jennifer Sinotte is working toward National Board Certification as an Exceptional Needs Specialist / Early Childhood Through Young Adulthood. |
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