Kelly - This is a meeting room at teachers.net. There is a meeting scheduled to begin in here in about one minute.....for teachers working on the Early Childhood portion of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards....
Kelly - Mary - I think everybody's glad to not be locked into their computer chair this weekend! When did you mail yours?
Mary - Kelly, I read you also got your BOX mailed. Exciting
Kelly - Third times a charm, right? We'll hope so, anyway!
Mary - Tuesday after I packed it and double checked with our secretary who is now at administrative center.
Kelly - Mary, when are you doing the AC?
Mary - The other candidate I was working with also had hers double checked by a secretary and she reaslized that she had typed the wrong ID # on all her little stickie tabs.
Kelly - Mary - augh! Glad she caught it! Hi Kiela! How are you doing?
Mary - I teach summer school which goes until July 12 --Think I'll have to do it July 14--that's really cutting it close, isn;t it??
Mary - Kielas are you a candidate? Did you mail your box? When?
Kelly - Doesn't matter. I did it the last day it was offered in 98!
Kelly - Kiela - tired!
Kiela - Yes- I sent mine on Monday.
Kiela - I am glad it is done.
Kelly - Have you both tracked yours to be sure it arrived?
Mary - I mailed my on Tuesday and saw that it got to Sna Antonia Thursday. I was happy unitl I started reading "the ring" and people were worried that it hadn't gotten to NBPTS. It's there I say.
Kelly - Kiela...no kidding....it's like giving birth to pop that sucker out! :)
Kiela - Yes- I also got my return receipt back. I also called NBTS to double check
Kelly - Mary - I know....USPS says it was delivered. But I suppose I'll call like thousands of others on Monday!
Mary - I guess I can no longer spell. I really have enjoyed "the ring" and this chat when I'bve been able to be home at this time on a Saturday.
Kiela - Mined was delivered by the USPO in less 24 hrs
Kelly - Kiela - so was mine. I was VERY happy about that! Hi Nancy....are you Nancy as in Brown?
Mary - Wasn't it something to be able to do real grocery shopping and now I'm getting caught up on the laudrey--even sheet!
Nancy - Glad that box is gone! No problem, Kelly.
Kelly - Debbie is a saint, you guys, plain and simple.
Debbie Mc. - It is such a beautiful day here. Are you all relieved about the box leaving.
Debbie Mc. - Kelly, you're making my head swell!
Debbie Mc. - We have to pay an accountant mucho bucks to do ours. The problem is we don't make mucho bucks.
Nancy - Funny story - my partner mailed her box on Thursday. On the Friday morning news, it reported a FedEx plane that caught on fire the night before. She has had the worst luck throughout this process but fortunately it made it to Texas.
Kelly - Debbie - I'll feel more relieved when we get Dana's box mailed!
Mary - How scary
jojo - I'm fine on this bright satuday afternoon how about you??
Debbie Mc. - Is she really close?
Debbie Mc. - Kelly, I'll help anyway at all if I can.
Kelly - Nancy - I'd have a heart attack! Glad her's wasn't on it. BUt that's so sad. Somebody's might have been!
Kelly - Debbie....she's still writing #6....I've proofed some of it...but she's still writing. I'm waiting for her to send more....she's supposed to send each section as she writes it.
Debbie Mc. - Well hopefully if there was an entry, it can be copied and sent in again. Let's pray that's the case.
jojo - What is the topic today?
Nancy - Luckily, the cargo was removed. We told her that hers would probably smell like smoke - bad joke!
Debbie Mc. - Good! Is the packing going okay? Does she have help with that?
Mary - How do you spell RELIEF??
Nancy - RELIEF - FEDEX!
Kelly - jojo - I think mostly people are just glad to be finished with the BOX! Anybody have some AC quesitons? Debbie - yes, her banking K teammate is helping her pack..and her family....
Debbie Mc. - I'm glad she's got help. I was told in March that they would probably accept a box that wasn't quite complete (maybe one entry short.)
Kelly - And Melody, my community entry banking buddy!
Mary - It's not so nice here in Wisconsin which is why I'm inside
Nancy - Kelly, I have looked at the outlines that were posted but having a hard time getting started.
Melody - Yes, yes! Hello all!
Kelly - Nancy, I think that most people are sort of brain dead right now. The conversation will pick up next week probably. That'll help get you jump started!
Melody - Hey, I forgot, what are people suppose to do on Saturday? I'm lost!
Debbie Mc. - I prepared entries for all math strands last year before the AC. I want to go to that website and find out if it's close the AC format.
Nancy - Me too, Melody!
kscally - I'm fine, Kelly. No box to mail this year, but in 2001. The mail ring is getting me ready.
Kelly - Melody....LOL....NO you're NOT lost....you found the way to the place you're supposed to be if it's Saturday afternoon! :) We're a year-round equal time-stealer organization! :)
Nancy - What website, Debbie?
Kelly - Kathy - you're going to nail it next year! I may still be writing with you! :)
Melody - I've heard several people say that prepping those 8 math strands was the clincher last year.
Debbie Mc. - Nancy, it's been posted on the ring. I saved the message so I'll send it to you. Remember I need your e-mail address. I can't wait to see if it's good.
Debbie Mc. - Melody, it was a big help for me.
Nancy - Debbie, my email is Hendnan@aol.com Thanks!
Mary - I'm going to leave now---actually my eyese are falling asleep--a nap on a Saurday sounds good seeing as I've been up since 5 Good-bye--I'll be back to read
Melody - So, which AC exercises shall we discuss?
Debbie Mc. - Nancy, I just sent it.
Kelly - Rose is another banker, Melody!
Nancy - AC exercises - literacy
Melody - Literacy for me too, and Science
Rose - I'm fine but a little dissappointed that so few of YAWL have left helpful sites, info, etc, in our guestbook!! HINI! HINT!!
Debbie Mc. - An outline to jot down notes would be very helpful for the Lit. exercise. That way you don't have to keep changing screens to view the student assessments.
Melody - Yes, an outline sounds good. Listing what, oral, reading, writing?
Kelly - Rose....I saved your last post to the ring in my "in" box to remind me. I've been sort of tied up with Dana today....
Nancy - Hi Rose! Sue and i need to get with you to talk about AC stuff
Melody - Debbie, what exactly is the info you are sending?
Rose - As you are preparing for the AC or helping others prepare, please leave anything you think helpful in our guestbook so I can add it to what we have. Our address is http://www.waynecountyschools.org/nsbc/nb.htm
Debbie Mc. - Melody,it's a web site that Wendy posted on the ring. Think that it's practice exercises, but it's not open yet, I don't think. Would you like for me to send the message to you again?
Melody - YES! Please!
Kelly - Debbie - kscally is Kathy, a partner in crime with me here in St. Louis.....she and I started this process together. (There Kathy, you can't hide anymore!) :)
Melody - Debbie Mc, thanks for all your help on Entry 3. I did some major surgery on it kinda last minute. Hope it turns out OK.
Debbie Mc. - Hello, Kathy. Any friend of Kelly's is a friend of mine.
Kelly - I think the website you all are talking about is one made my Iowa. It's not open for business until the 18th I believe. But it's supposed to be something like an interactive exercise to simulate the AC.
kscally - Goodness, Kelly. You have revealed my hidden identity to the world! I'm glad you did.
Debbie Mc. - I should have known that Kelly would be up on it. That's exactly right.
Melody - I received the book entitled Reading and Writing, grade by grade. I think it is going to be very helpful for AC
Debbie Mc. - Is anybody assessing this summer?
Melody - I would hate to live on Zarzamora St. in San Antonio TX this week!!
Barb - Is anyone here "up" on the scoring process and system?? I know that it's based on the 4 point rubric, but how do they figure totals and passing and stuff??
Kelly - Debbie - are you going to assess? I would love to...is it too late to sign on? I think (but I'm not sure) that I could assess something that I'm not retaking......do you know?
Donna - Kelly, do you think the site for the simulation exercises could be posted again on our ring? I think I book marked it earlier, but wouldn't want to chance it?
Debbie Mc. - Barb each entry is weighted. If you score a 3 on entries 1-4, they multiply that 3 by 12 and your score on that entry is 36. Entries 5 & 6 have a weight of 6 so your score is multiplied by 6. The AC exercises are weighted 10, so your score is multiplied by 10. They total these and add 12 points. If your score is 275 you become certified.
Kelly - Barb - everything is weighted....12 points for the first 4 portfolio entries....6 each for Entry 5 and 6. Each AC is 10 points. Then you multiply the score you get (let's say a 3.0) times the weight of the entry that scored that. So if you got a 3.0 on entry 1, you would get 36 points toward the 275 necessary for certification. Clear as much
Nancy - Several teachers received packets from NBPTS on assessing this summer.
Debbie Mc. - I don't know Kelly, but I'd love to assess with you. I'm thinking about going to Daytona. I've asked my state assoc. to help offset the cost. Wouldn't it be great if we could share a room and go together?
Kelly - Debbie - I'm LOL.....you and I think SO much alike! Sorry for the double explanation!
Barb - Thanks, Kelly! Perfecgt explanation!!
Debbie Mc. - Kelly, look at those replies. Great Minds!
Rose - Lots of teachers at my school got the packets about assessing
Kelly - I'm so braindead.....I meant "Clear as mud?" at the end of that explanation.....but it came out "clear as much"! I need some sleep! :)
Melody - Yeah, Debbie and Kelly, you guys think alike!
Debbie Mc. - Do those of you who got packets live close to a city where assessing is taking place?
Debbie Mc. - Meldoy, we're starting our own school when we get rich!
Barb - Those explanations were so close I switched from reading one to the other and didn't even know it! Yikes!!!
Kelly - Melody - we're going to start a school someday (when we win the lottery or something!) Want to come teach with us??? I think we'll make it a requirement that we'll only hire teachers from our mailring! :)
Melody - Right now, I can't even THINK of assessing. Even gearing up for AC might wait a week or two.
Rose - I didn't get a packet but my school is about 60 miles from a place where they will score
Nancy - Can you assess if you are in the process?
Sharon - I got a packet but live WAY to far away for it to be economically feasible
Melody - I'd love to come and teach! Los Angeles is getting to me!
Nancy - Rose - I didn't either.
Debbie Mc. - Kelly, we need to find out. How about three weeks in Daytona? The hours are 8:30 to 5:00, but that's okay with me.
Debbie Mc. - Sharon, I did too! I love to share a room with somebody though,so I could assess.
Melody - I've heard that assessing doesn't really "pay"---it kinda comes from the heart. Any other thoughts?
Rose - Nancy, lots of the packets came to my school
Nancy - Ours too! Were you surprised at the number?
Kelly - Debbie - what are the dates for the weeks in Daytona?
Melody - Is Daytona in Florida?
Debbie Mc. - I really don't think that you make alot because it costs so much to travel and then stay, but it would really be beneficial to future candidates that you mentor.
Rose - Nancy, yes I was. Very surprises, in fact
Debbie Mc. - June 12-30 and yes Daytona in Florida.
Melody - Yes, the rewards of assessing would be great, but not $$.
Kelly - Debbie - that's exactly why I want to assess. I'd love to do one entry each summer until I had a great idea of all of them!
Lori in Mn. - Guess what? I am making Christmas cookies today-better late than never?
Nancy - We were too! We also thought the qualifications would be different.
Debbie Mc. - Right now there are not enough NBCTs to do it all, but they hope that someday that will be a requirement to assess.
Kelly - Debbie - yikes...I was hoping it was in July....I can't during those June times.....
Debbie Mc. - Good idea Kelly!
Debbie Mc. - That's okay, but another summer. But there are July times.
Melody - What are the requirements to assess?
Kelly - Lori - LOL - I love it! But then again, I have a flat Christmas tree up on the wall in our living room......it has special signicance, but first time visitors think we're nuts.....
Rose - Did any of you look through the packets about assessing that came?
Debbie Mc. - 3 years teaching,I think, a bachelor's degree, and you fill out an application with a recommendation.
Melody - Does NBPTS send an invitation or does one solicit to work?
Kelly - Rose, I'm not aware of any coming in our district.....but then again, if anyone saw it they'd probably pitch it!
Debbie Mc. - I got one Rose and would love to do it, but I'm not sure I can.
Lori in Mn. - I have a small three demetional tree in my kitchen all year-complete with lights and teddy bears! I was going to decorate my cookies in spring colors however.
Debbie Mc. - All certified teachers are invited to apply. I thinkthey send packets to teachers in cities close to where assessing is taking place.
Nancy - You can do it - Debbie!
Rose - Melody, are you talking about an invitation to assess?
Sharon - I'd love to assess for the benefits it would be as a mentor. But think about it...3 weeks away from your family for only $100 a day. Then you have all of your expenses to pay out of that. Money would not be the primary reason for assessing but I don't want to go in the hole either!
Debbie Mc. - There is also an announcement on the homepage of the NBPTS website. It's the money Nancy. I'd love to do it but don't know if I can afford to spend the money. I don't get paid to mentor so I don't have extra cash.
Melody - Yes, I'm questioning about assessing. How does one go about inquiring, etc.?
Debbie Mc. - It's 125 a day now.
Nancy - That's understandable - Debbie.
Debbie Mc. - Melody, go to the homepage of the NBPTS website and click on the Assessors Needed line.
Melody - When and where is the training to assess?
Rose - Teachers at my school who didn't know what NB was got packets inviting them to assess. Everthing was included, application, etc
Melody - OK, Debbie Mc, I'll check out NB web. Thanks!
Melody - Im signed up to AC on June 14, in CA....little conflict of times.....
Melody - But I am "off track" all of May and June!
Debbie Mc. - Different cities. Portfolio cities are Daytona Beach, Henderson Nevade, Durham NC, Berea OH, Tulsa OK, San Antonio TX (imagine that). AC will be Colorado Springs CO, Indianapolis IN, Baltimore MD, Dallas TX.
Kelly - Debbie - are the dates the same for the whole portfolio?
Rose - I'm about 60 miles from Durham NC
Melody - My (new) husband LOVES Florida.....and his 3 week vacation is June 5-25....wouldn't have much resistance there!
Melody - Does one have to stay the whole period of time?
Debbie Mc. - June 12-30 for portfolio and July 31-August 22 for AC. My school starts August 4, so the last dates are out for me.
Debbie Mc. - Melody, wouldn't be much of a vacation for you. Yes, they want you to commit for the whole three weeks.
Melody - Yes, but I'm out of school all of May too
Melody - I'm not really seriously thinking of it; just this conversation got me thinking.....
Debbie Mc. - Well, ladies. I have to go finish up my dinner. I have guests coming and I'll be here when they come through the door if I don't force myself to stop.
Nancy - Bye, Debbie. Thanks!
Melody - I really value my time off. We are always asked to sub in our off track time, sub at my own schoolBut I say no usually
Rose - Well, Debbie, before you leave, tell us what you are serving!!
Kelly - Bye Debbie - I'll be talking to you!
Debbie Mc. - If anybody decides to go to Daytona, we can share the expenses. Just let me know. Have a nice rest of the weekend and my prayers are with you and DAna, Kelly.
Melody - OK, Debbie Mc, have a nice enjoyable time!!
Debbie Mc. - My husband does a pork tenderloin on the grill. Marinate it in MOORE'S Marinate. Grill slowly for a couple of hours. Put in a foil pan on the grill and turn every twenty minutes or so. It's delicious. Bye Bye.
Kelly - Debbie - Thanks....we'll make it!
Debbie Mc. - Moore's comes from Kroger, I know. Don't know if you can get it anywhere else.
Rose - Thanks, Debbie, ENJOY!
Melody - I think Special Ed now has a category for certification, but you need several years experience first.
kscally - Have to go now. Wish I could stay. I do read the archives, however. I sm learning so much!
Melody - Bye Kathy, stay in touch!
Rosie - Since your boxes are due next week I'm assuming everyone is finished! Good luck to everyone. I'm doing it next year
Melody - Rosie, one smart cookie! Stay glued to this sight from now on out!
Lexie - Did your schools pay?
Melody - Lexie, what state, what grade level?
Nancy - Our state did, Rosie.
Lexie - Middle school in Virginia
Rosie - several of my friends are doing it and they were still taping Thursday! Not too smart. One mailed hers on tuesday so now she doesn't know hat to do eith her free time!!!
Nancy - I am sorry - I meant Lexie
Lexie - Plus if we do make it through the process, all we get is a certificate. Is it worth it?
Melody - California has various associations to apply to for $1000-2000. I happened to be really lucky and won a grant from State Farm Ins. Co. which paid the whole amount.
Rosie - Our state pays the reg. fee plus if you pass they give you $5000 each year for 10 years
Nancy - Our state gives a 12 % raise
Lexie - I have been told it is a lot of work for nothing
Melody - My school district of Los Angeles gives a 15% pay increase; California give a one-time bonus of 10K
Lexie - Wow that is a generous raise
Nancy - For one of my co-workers, if she passes it will mean a $10,000 a year raise with our yearly raise from the state.
Rosie - I guess it depends on your persepective Lexie. Personally I wouldn't do it if somebody else didn't pay the regiatration. That's quite a hefty fee for not much recognition or raise
Lexie - Is she out of the classroom a lot?
Melody - Lexie, it certainly isn't "for nothing".....you grow a lot and improve yourself professionally, not to mention the neat friends on this ring!
Melody - Nancy, which state is that?
Lexie - Fauquier County
Nancy - Yes, you forget about the money as you go through the process. You grow leaps and bounds!
Lexie - It's rural and not very wealthy
Rosie - our teachers used to get professional leave as the April deadline as drawing near but they aren't allowed that anymore
Nancy - NC, Melody
Lexie - Grow? In what ways?
Melody - Wow, I knew NC was on the cutting edge.
Rosie - Nancy, were you a reader for any Oklahoma teachers in the last few years?
Nancy - Grow - in your effectiveness as an educator.
Lexie - More teachers from NC are board certified than any other state
Melody - Grow professionally, as a better teacher, as a more insightful person. It's a reflective process....you look at yourself and analyze.
Nancy - Lexie - I didn't know that. We were told the opposite
Rosie - I do not know too many board certified teachers who said it was a waste of their time. Five of ours have given classes this year on how to better prepare portfolios, tapes, and get the info for parts 5 and 6
Lexie - I thought I read that in USA Today. They just did an article on board certification
Melody - Was the newspaper article favorable? We've had a little bad press in CA a few months ago......just misunderstandings
Nancy - I will have to check that out. Thanks, Lexie
Lexie - Our school system if offering an informational meeting on it
Melody - The mall......I seem to remember that word somewhere back in the dark recesses of my mind!
Rosie - several of our teaches also said their readers from NC gave great help and were totally honestly critical when it counted the most
Lexie - It was very positive. It also said more categories are being added. It interviewed several teachers
Melody - Yes, I think NC (and Idaho, it sounds like from Virginia) are supportive as a whole.
Lexie - it also said that once you get board certified, your teaching certificate is good in all states
Nancy - Yes, Nc is very supportive!
Rosie - not ture Lexie, Va will not take mine if I get it. Luckily I have renewed mine every 6 years
Lexie - My husband works for a large firm that moves workers around a lot
Lexie - So I need to be certified for every state
Melody - I HOPE all states will honor the certificate as a credential. I'm not so sure of CA.....does anybody know for sure?
Rosie - from Virginia. Some states might take it but I doubt most will
Lexie - How come Va would not give you a certificate
Rosie - Melody- I need to renew my VA one last year and asked about having to keep doing ti once I was board certified and they told me absolutely, positively YES I would have to keep renewing after certification
Lexie - That does not sound fair at all
Rosie - I do not know wht Lexie. But I'm keeping my original VA certificate renewed until I retire just in case I ever move back there
Melody - Well, Rosie, I guess the state's credential is the real trump card here.....
Melody - It must be awful having to renew creds. all the time! I'm an old timer with a "life credential" =o)
Rosie - What I found very funny was when I movedto Ok they would not take my VA certification but they would accept my DODDS one.
Melody - Have fun everyone! And thanks for the info! Bye!
Rosie - And I couldn't teach in Germany without a current USA one! So in reality Oklahoma was accepting my VA one without saying so. Real stupid how that works
Kathleen - Have you joined one of the NBPTS e-mail discussion groups here at Teachers.Net? They are available at http://teachers.net/mailrings
Kathleen - Melody, where are you that you have a life credential?
Rosie - nope, got too much email stuff as it is!
Rosie - I was wondering the same thing
Kathleen - Check out the NBPTS discussion boards. EC-GEN at http://teachers.net/mentors/ec-gen. Elem/secondary at http://teachers.net/mentors/es-gen
Rosie - there are 5 techers in my town with certification who are ready, willing, and able to help when I start this process next year
Kathleen - Rosie, that should be very helpful, mentors right in town
Rosie - it is, many gave classes on prep work for it this year for 6 months
