What Will I Need to Do?

Be ready for one of the greatest learning experiences of your life. You are forced to think about what you’re teaching, why and is it benefiting your students.

Jump through hoops. As educators we are always saying, "the students can’t follow instructions." Following instructions are musts for this work. Last year there were almost 10,000 candidates. If we don’t follow the same procedures its very hard, if not impossible to keep up with everyone. Read and follow all instructions.

Get your package early and start planning. Which units to use for which section and which to video, so forth.

As a candidate, you will participate in a two-part assessment based on the standards and reflecting varied aspects of teaching. Your work for National Board Certification will take the better part of a school year. Teachers report spending at least 120 hours on the assessment process. (Agreement among most is more like 200-300 hours)

The portfolio is completed in your classroom and includes student work, videotapes and other teaching artifacts. The videos and student work are supported by commentaries on the goals and purposes of instruction, reflections on what occurred, the effectiveness of the practice, and the rationale for your professional judgement. Portfolios are designed to take at least four months to complete. Portfolios will be due around the middle of April each cycle.

The assessment center exercises are designed to complement the portfolio and are organized around challenging teaching issues. This aspect of the certification process is designed to provide an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities in situations across the age range and topics of the certification field. Assessment Centers are located in every state in the nation via Technology Centers. There are more than 200 centers available to accommodate candidates for NBCT, and candidates can choose any location and date within a set window of time, during the summer for a four to six week period.