coffeeplease! - Hello!
Diana - Hi, Susan.
Diana - Guess without Kelly to remind folks this week some have forgotten about the chat.
fbuquoi - Are you working on your boards
fbuquoi - I am thinking about it, but do not know what to expect
Diana - I am a NBCT2000
fbuquoi - What do you teach?
Diana - I loop between K and 1st - I'm in first this year.
fbuquoi - I teach kindergarten special ed,
fbuquoi - What do I need to know about the boards
Diana - It is a big committment and a lot of work - but very rewarding.
fbuquoi - What do you have to do?
Diana - You have to complete four portfolio entries - 3 are classroom based and one is about your professional develoment and communication with parents and the community.
fbuquoi - Can you give me more info.?
Diana - Then, you have to take an essay test - 6 questions on different aspects of the curriculum - this is given on a computer at a testing site like a Sylvan learning center.
Diana - Your portfolio includes on entry that involves analyzing student writing samples and describing how you support the liteacy development of 2 selected students.
Diana - There is a math/science entry that involves writing up science unit that integrates math. It includes a videotape of you teaching a lesson and an analysis of your work.
fbuquoi - It does not sound very difficult
Diana - The 3rd classroom based entry is social studies/art/community. It also includes a video tape.
Diana - It is much more difficult than it sounds. The passing rate is around 35%.
fbuquoi - A video tape of what
Diana - You teaching a lesson in your classroom. You have to answer a variety of prompts that include analyzing the videotape and reflecting on your teaching.
Diana - Each written entry is about 10-12 pages long.
Diana - Candidates report that they spend between 150-400 hours working on their portfolios.
Diana - Hi Susan, where did you go?
Susan (NC) - Back again! We are having a violent thunderstorm; so I don't know how long I can stay!
Diana - You can view all the instructions as well as the standard that are used to judge your entry by visiting www.nbpts.org
fbuquoi - Almost all of the teachers in our district have passed it if they have taken it
Diana - Susan - it's overcast here and threatening to storm. I may not be able to stay long either.
Susan (NC) - I guess Kelly is still "having fun" She deserves it!
Diana - fbuquoi - what state are you in - do you have a good mentoring program?
Susan (NC) - It has been a long time Diana since we have chatted.......how are you?
Diana - Can you have a lot of fun in Cinncinnati?
Diana - I'm fine. I haven't had time to visit the chatroom in awhile.
Susan (NC) - Debbie Mc & Kelly were supposed to team up.........that sounds like fun! LOL
Diana - Yes, I sure would like to meet both of them. I met Cheryl and Tracy this summer - also Mary Lou and Wendy.
Susan (NC) - Wow- I would like to meet them too! Talk about NB guru's.........!
Diana - It is interesting to meet folks from the list - we are all quite different - different interests, different teaching strengths. It just verifies that NB is not looking for a certain type of teacher.
Susan (NC) - That's true.........now the hard wait begins to Nov. that is-
Diana - fbuquoi - are you still there?
Susan (NC) - If I don't make it this time; I'm not sure what I'll do - I really believe in the process BUT.....................
Diana - We are busy with final recruitment meetings and planning mentoring workshops here in Central FL.
Diana - I can understand your BUT... it is a difficult wait. However, I worked for NB this summer, and I fully support the scoring process.
Susan (NC) - I now have 5 1/2 days under my belt with our new class of kids!
Susan (NC) - I really didn
Diana - I've been back at work for 7 days now.
Evelyn - Diana, I am also in Central Fla. Where are you? I am in Brevard
Susan Nebrick - I got booted before I got to finish - I really didn't understand the whole thing the first go round but Debbie MC & Kelly and several others helped me so much
Diana - Hi Susan N and Evelyn - are you NB candidates or NBCTs?
Susan Nebrick - Opps! gotta go-
Evelyn - I am a soon to be candidate
Diana - Oh Susan - I didn't realize it was still you.
Diana - Great - Evelyn. Have you sent in your application yet?
Susan - Maybe this time I'll get it right! DUMB...........
Evelyn - I think I have to leave . A quick question. Can you use letters from your principal in the place of a verification form? Also, can you attach a picture at the top of a page and then description or documentation underneath as long as it is 12pt.?
Diana - Susan, what is dumb?
Diana - Evelyn - yes you can use a letter from your principal.
Diana - As for the picture - are you talking about entry 4?
Susan - I'm not sure Evelyn, I did use several verifications but not from my principal.
Diana - Susan - the board is showing you in here 3 times...hmm..
Susan - Now how long will it stay up on the screen of occupants..........?
Susan - It is showing me 3 X because of all the logging on & off - guess it is just you & me & Evelyn if she is still here?
Diana - Evelyn - are you still with us?
Susan - When I tried to log back on; it wouldn
Susan - 't let me do it-
Susan - Great..........now I can't even type !
Evelyn - Yes, Diana a picture. For example, i briefly looked at a friend's portfolio. She had a picture of parent volunteers and a letter from a volunteer under it.
Susan - Did you access this summer?
Susan - Now I can't spell - that was supposed to be assess!
Diana - Evelyn - you CAN use a picture, but usually pictures aren't as strong as evidence as letters -
Diana - I assessed literacy last summer. This summer I was a trainer for math/science.
Evelyn - I think Early Childhood Teachers like to make everything cutesy, but maybe the picture did provide some evidence or gave accessors a feel for the program.
Susan - I redid Literacy & Science...........and I know I did better that the first go-round!
Diana - Evelyn - you will have to decide what gives you the strongest evidence in the alloted number of pages. I recommend including some verification that supports impact on students -for example, a letter from a parent telling you how his/her child benefitted from something that you did.
Diana - Susan -I'm glad you feel like you improved - you probably did. This is a learning process.
Susan - And third times the charm, right? I have 1 more time to get it done!
Diana - But maybe you won't need to use your third chance.
Diana - Science is by far the most difficult entry with the lowest passing rate.
Diana - Evelyn, do you have any other questions?
Diana - It sure is quiet here without Kelly and Debbie Mc
Susan - I'm still the only one at my school to try it...........someone tried in MC last year but quit the process before she completed the portfolio & almost suffered a nervous breakdown in the process! She is still getting counseling; hope it was not only NB that made her so wacko!
Susan - I agree! Can you see the mischief those 2 can get into!! LOL
Diana - Wow, Susan, I hope NB was not her main problem.
Diana - Cinncinnati may never be the same!
Susan - The crazy part is I loved doing the science............even the one I got such a low score! It was fun!!
Diana - Did you change your approach to science significantly the second time around?
Susan - It is really getting Black & blowing up a storm.........
Diana - The weather is looking bad here as well - guess I should go. Happy waiting Susan, and good luck to you Evelyn!
Susan - changed my science completely! 1st time it was the 5 senses - last time it was mealworms.
Diana - Five senses is a tough topic to pull off, though I saw entries that managed it - oops there's the thunder, I'm really going now. Bye!
Susan - Better go too.........
