National Board Certification

Click for my note to the Manning community (families and students)

Hi, and welcome to my brief resource on National Board Certification. I'm now late in the application window, and and really just getting into the massive writing. Late because I decided just before the application deadline (December 06) and late because I really work and write better under pressure - and I'm just now (February 07) beginning to feel the pressure. But, I have an awesome video of one of my lessons which is helping me to understand just what they want. Last night I had an epiphany about the writing (I had been getting frustrated because I couldn't find the place to just describe the way I teach and structure my program and all the great classroom management systems I've implemented and refined over the years). It was they want me to use these required vignettes as a lens for bringing in all of these features into my descriptions! It's not just about describing and analyzing what happened and what I see (and then reflecting on it)! It's about describing what happens while looking through the lens that is about me and my teaching. So, I'll be using descriptions of that lens as I describe and analyze what's happening. Maybe it's a subtle distinction, but it is real and helpful to me. I've decided to be certain to have "killer" entries. This may mean that I don't have really enough time for my 4th one (which ever one gets written last). I am so not afraid of not making it during my first year. I'm totally sold by the term they use for those who don't make it during the first round (and less than half do) - Advanced Candidates. (Much swifter than Repeating Candidates!) I've found some great resources online, and I'll list those much later (think summer!). But, I'll tell about the two books which have been great allies (actually, more helpful than the support sessions provided by my district, although those have been invaluable, too).  I got them at Amazon; they need a few weeks to ship it out to you. The National Board Certification Workbook, Second Edition: How to Develop Your Portfolio and Prepare for the Assessment Exams by Adrienne Mack-Kirschner ACCOMPLISHED TEACHING: THE KEY TO NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION: The Key To National Board Certification (Paperback) by Bess Jennings, Frank J. Orlando, Mary Ann Joseph, Carol Sharp  I used the first one to understand the whole process and I'm now using the second one as I write. I've been pretty careful about doing their recommended exercises (around getting to know the 5 Propositions (which are universal to all the certificate areas) and their standards (which are specific to each certificate area). I'm getting certified in Early Adolescence Science. AND the 5 Core Propositions and NBPT Standards are very good and useful. I strongly recommend all teachers to read them and analyze why you disagree with what they say. Feel free to contact me with any questions. (I always say that and no one ever does, so it's easy to keep making that offer!) ltheroux at [google's email service] - ** that first character is an L and not a numeral!

Dear families of the Manning's fifth graders, Thank you for your support so far in my effort to become nationally certified in science. I did start late in the year, but this group of fifth graders is so awesome to work with that I decided it would be crazy for me not to started on this complicated and time-consuming journey. Video taping is one of the important requirements of this process, and what has kept me from applying before this. BUT, much to my surprise, I've found the video taping so helpful in looking at my practice. And it's been great as I've captured some really good moments with your children, my students. I promised you could view my video tape, and now I feel comfortable with that (when I offered I felt so vulnerable). I'll make time after the March 31st deadline. Feel free to contact me with any questions. (I always say that and no one ever does, so it's easy to keep making that offer!) ltheroux at [google's email service] - ** that first character is an L and not a numeral!