Jenny in los Angeles - Greetings! I am one of our moderators. Sorry you beat me to the site tonight. Can you tell me about who you are and where you teach and where you are in the process. Got the boxes yet??
Diane - O.K. This is my first time to a chat room, so I may be slow. What do you mean by boxes?
Jenny in los Angeles - I'm referring to the infamous "box" that we each receive once we have begun the NBC process. Don't worry about the lag time in responding. That's just part of getting used to a chat room.
Jenny in los Angeles - The box contains all the info about all the entries and what is required for each of them.
Ret in OH - Jenny, I heard that you met one of our Exceptional Needs member...Judy
Jenny in los Angeles - Yes! We have a great couple of hours just tippling and chatting!! She lives about a half hour away! She really "got me through" Jake, bless her!
Ret in OH - I told Judy that when we all certify...we should all get together at the National conference.
Jenny in los Angeles - Ret, definitely! There must be a way we can all meet!
Jenny in los Angeles - Susan, we 'know' a few Susans. Which one are you? Do we already know you?
SusanRandall - oh yes-just like one of those students you don't forget- were yall talking about a get-together when I joined?
Ret in OH - Susan, I was saying that when we all certify...we should meet up at the National NBPTS conference!!
Diane The Challenged - I have no idea how I did it, but I clicked on enter meeting just like the previous times and VOILA I have a screen.
Jenny in los Angeles - Actually, Ret, there could be other conferences many of us might be at together, but NBPTS may be the most likely.
Jenny in los Angeles - Raina - can yo tell us about you, and Diane too.
SusanRandall - But I love to travel, so count me in for the conference whether I certify or not- where is it?
Jenny in los Angeles - Hi Kathy! Are yo the Kathy from New Orleans? Or a new candidate?
Diane The Challenged - Not to slow you down, but certify for what? Stick with me, I'm learning.
Jenny in los Angeles - Diane, are you a candidate for National Board Cerfitication?
Jenny in los Angeles - Hi Kathryn. Don't we know you from our year of trial...? Or are you a new candidate?
Diane The Challenged - No. Actually, I am getting a GT certification and thought this discussion might cover that subject.
Ret in OH - Diane...what is GT?
Jenny in los Angeles - What is GT?
SusanRandall - Diane- we are exceptional in the other direction
Diane The Challenged - You are making me feel better. Gifted and Talented.
Ret in OH - Gifted?
Jenny in los Angeles - Ohhhhh! Gifted and talented!
Diane The Challenged - As in learning disabled?
Jenny in los Angeles - No wonder you didn[t know what we meant by the "box". But don't you receive a box, too, in that category?
Ret in OH - As far as I know, National Board hasn't developed a GT certification yet
SusanRandall - you can tell I must have smart children to know about that- yes we are special ed teachers
Diane The Challenged - I still don't have a handle on the box, so no I do not.
Jenny in los Angeles - Diane, are you getting your certification from the4 National Board or are you referring to some other process?
Jenny in los Angeles - Kathy, are you there?
Diane The Challenged - Actually, I have just come back from Boise, Idaho Edufest. I think everyone should be taught as I teach GT.
Diane The Challenged - I am referring to a state certification.
Ret in OH - So..Diane is GT...and Susan is a new NBPTS candidate...and Jenny & I are 99-00 NBPTS...Right?
Jenny in los Angeles - Oh! No wonder you arent aware of our "box." This is a site for candidates for the National Board Certification. No wonder the confusion! I don't think we'll be able to help you, but you are welcome to be here even though the discussions may not 'hit' for you.
Jenny in los Angeles - Maybe you will become interested in pursuing NBC by listening in, Diane!
Diane The Challenged - Thanks, I teach in a regular classroom, so I always have more to learn about my "inclusion students."
Ret in OH - Susan...you are a new candidate...yes?
Jenny in los Angeles - Susan. How can we help you tonight? Diane, that's great. Actually, I feel all students should be taught with the clarity we learn to use as special ed teachers. Let's face it - good teaching is good teaching no mater the fiedl, right?
Jenny in los Angeles - I'd better learn how to type!
SusanRandall - Diane- most of my kids have an IQ between 50 & 60 and can read very little. I must say that the program my own chilren had was excellent- RISK- research, investigation, skills, knowledge. Back in the day, GT was considered an exceptionality, but we never seem to be at the same meetings with you guys now. I can see why you thought this was that.
Diane The Challenged - That is so true. Everything I have learned about GT and applied to my sp. ed. kids have helped them be successful and empowered.
Ret in OH - My students range in IQ from 65 to 130
SusanRandall - Jenny- yall please tell me about the assessment- formal or nontraditional- what did you use? I can do both
Diane The Challenged - Ret, are you in a regular classroom?
Ret in OH - I am a Resource Room Teacher...I do some tutoring, some inclusion, some pull out
Ret in OH - Susan, I used a combination of assessment techniques for NBPTS. Actually, I used mostly teacher-made assessments
Jenny in los Angeles - Susan, sorry I didn't get a reply in to that question earlier today. NBC I feel is most interested in whatever assessment fits with what ou are doing, or trying to demonstrate. They are not wedded to either, I would say. (More to folllow)
Ret in OH - The reason that I used mostly teacher-made assessment is that you have to demonstrate that assessment is on-going and linked to instruction. I only use the Brigance as a pre and post test for the school year (basically)
Jenny in los Angeles - In my student profiles, I did refer to standardized / IEP testing as appropriate. But my onging assesement for both entries 1 and 4 were actually teacher made.
Jenny in los Angeles - Actually, that was true for entry 2 also - teacher made.
Ret in OH - Did that answer your question Susan?
SusanRandall - Loretta, I have been looking at the rubric site you posted, and thinking about things like that I already use. But knowing your interpretation for that entry helps. I do not want to "copy" any one, but as I said, I do both,so thanks. Have you seen a rubric for our NB scoring yet?
Jenny in los Angeles - I would say, for any students you are contemplating for your entries, start now to get solid baseline info and to design what ongoing assessment you may need.
SusanRandall - Do you use graphing or CBM?
Ret in OH - Susan...when you get into your entries...you will know what to use. It will make more sense. I have not seen a true rubric for Exceptional Needs yet...they didn't have them last year for us.
Ret in OH - Susan...I use graphing and some CBM
Diane The Challenged - Just had a "white-out" that coincided with my husband and daughter coming in and asking if I was glued to the computer. Thanks for helping me out. I'm off!
Ret in OH - Good night Diane
Jenny in los Angeles - Susan, I will leave you in Loretta's fabulous hands. Its earlier here in LA and I need to leave for tonight. I look forward to talking more i future weeks or on the other site. Nite, Ret!
Ret in OH - Good night Jenny
Ret in OH - For the literacy entry, I made a reading analysis chart to analyze errors
Jenny in los Angeles - Just a further note, Susan. Its clear you are one sharp lady. You will do well. Stay cool and take it step by step and try to enjoy as much as you can. You will get lots of enjoyment along with your stress. Its a remarkable process! Good luck. Later - Jenny
SusanRandall - My principal's wife did some other new area year before last, and got the rubric after the 1st round of scoring. That is one reason I was iscouraged from applying last year. His wife banked - he said she needed 2 pts- and had no problems with retake, once she looked at the rubric sent later.
SusanRandall - Thanks Jenny- if you are still there
Jenny in los Angeles - :o)
Ret in OH - I think its unfortunate that the rubric isn't available for first year candidates. It would have been beneficial
Ret in OH - By 2 points! That would make you sick. Surely they could come up with 2 points!
SusanRandall - That is why you should get xtra pts for being "pioneers" - let me know as soon as you gt one, ok?
Ret in OH - Do you think they will send us one?
Ret in OH - I definitely think there should be additional financial help for first year candidates...if they have to bank.
SusanRandall - I hope so- yes- if it is like the other area- it should be finalized /developed after the 1st round of scoring. When you get your scores- that is another reason for the time lapse, I think. Hope fully you won't need it then
Ret in OH - Susan...I can't remember....do you have your box? I do hope that I don't have to bank. But if I do...it will definitely be easier than doing all 10 entries in 1 year.
SusanRandall - But- I will need it then, and I hope I get one, too! He said she retook one part of the ac this summer and it was "too easy"
Ret in OH - I think that new candidates will receive the rubrics with their materials.
SusanRandall - SAdly, I feel a little less pressure, since my own principal's wife- who he says is the best teacher ever- had to bank
SusanRandall - Yes, the new ones next year will get it, but I didn't since it is not the end of the 1st round of scoring yet
Ret in OH - Oh....I know of MANY outstanding teachers who didn't pass and a few "not so terrific" teachers that did. That's why I'm not sure that the states should be financially rewarding ONLY teachers who pass this. There are other ways of evaluation that would b
SusanRandall - Am I horrible to say that?
Ret in OH - Oh..so you have your box. They will probably send it to you whenwhen they send it to us.
Ret in OH - No..you're not horrible to say that...you just do your best and write about what you do. Then...don't worry about it.
SusanRandall - At least I won't feel pressure from him- 1st hand experience lets him know what to expect- it is almost like he looks at me and wants to caution me for the letdown, even tho he is glad I want to do it
SusanRandall - I got my box this past week(MON)
Ret in OH - Hang in there. You are in a terrific support group. Just because his wife had to bank doesn't mean you will. Wouldn't that be something if you passed on the first try??? Hmmm
SusanRandall - I havent really memorized it yet, but I did sleep with it the 1st night
Ret in OH - Nothing surprises me with this process. :o) I was afraid to take it out of the house for fear of losing something!
SusanRandall - That would be phenomenal!!! Life's greatest accomplishment - even for a 2yr try it will be
Ret in OH - One teacher in NC left all of her personal belongings in her classroom when a hurricane was coming....but she grabbed her box!
SusanRandall - I look forward to looking back from further on down the track-- was that Carole King?
Ret in OH - I LOVE Carole King
Ret in OH - So you haven't had the time to start organizing or putting your ID number on things yet.
SusanRandall - I took my box to my workdays this week, but couldn't ever get a free copier- was all set to get a working notebook
Ret in OH - When do you start back to school?
SusanRandall - The rest of that is : together, in fact forever, my love
SusanRandall - Kids come MONDAY- I just had 3 workdays this week, starting Wed--can't wait!
Ret in OH - I would set up the video camera in your room and just videotape all social skill and literacy sessions...that way the kids will get used to it. You never know what will be a good tape.
Ret in OH - You really start early! Our kids start on August 24
Ret in OH - One of my kids was really hamming it up for the video...I hope the assessor saw the humor in it. :o)
SusanRandall - Well, I already tape alot and take constant pictures of them- can't wait to do digital this year with our 'new technology' which, by the way has some snag, so we have the new stuff sitting there but can't use it Yet- the kids will be mad- they saw it delivered in May
Ret in OH - The only thing bad about technology is when it doesn't work!
SusanRandall - We go 180 days for kids, 190 for us, get out the second week in MAY- FINISH 1st sem block classes before Cmas---but I have MINE all year long- EMD self cont
Ret in OH - Wow...I like the part about getting out in May. I will probably end up having mine year round as they are really pushing us to do extended year services
Ret in OH - Do you get a larger salary for teaching longer than the other teachers?
SusanRandall - Loretta, I honestly think I do all this stuff- I am just trying to PICK- make good choices- which things to showcase
Ret in OH - Susan...that's what happened with me through the process. It really was a confirmation to me that what I was doing was correct.
SusanRandall - All teachers work 10 more days than the kids- workdays/inservice, also certain areas can do summer school or 11 or 12 month contracts for certain areas- guidance is one. I have 3 children, so I do not opt for xtra, I am a full time mom in the summer
Ret in OH - It's just a matter of selecting lessons that strongly reflect the standards and then being able to write about it analytically.
SusanRandall - Glad you didn't take that as boasting- didn't mean it that way- did you find people being seird acting towards you?
Ret in OH - I've not voiced that to too many people!
SusanRandall - That is WEIRD- hopefully this will help my ac typing skills
Ret in OH - I KNOW that I demonstrate the standards in my teaching practice...it's just a matter of whether or not I communicated that effectively to the NBPTS assessors! :o) I know you know what I'm talking about...not boasting either.
SusanRandall - Oh, I took a big chance saying that, but had a feeling you knew what I meant.
Ret in OH - That's why...I read the standards and then put them aside. Then I picked apart each entry and then wrote about what I do. Later, I went back to see if what I wrote reflected the standards..and it did.
SusanRandall - So, do you have envy,etc because you did it? I don't want to tell anybody, since I am the only one in a huge high school of 1700 students- and a county district of 4 high schools- I am the only sp ed teacher doing this
Ret in OH - I was the only person in my county to pursue certification last year. Most teachers don't want to put out the extra work to pursue it. They don't see value in it...but I think it would be very good for them. No envy...but I think some are hopeful that I
Ret in OH - .....hopeful that I fail.
SusanRandall - I held my breath that my principal wouldn't say it in our gathering this week- I do network a lot with others at the school- but I will be crushed if anyone ever says I did something because of this - like I wouldn't do it anyway
Ret in OH - It's difficult with everyone knowing..because if you don't pass..it makes you feel like you're not a good teacher...unless you have the right perspective.
Ret in OH - An outstanding teacher in our building didn't pass 2 years ago and she was so embarrassed when the principal held a celebration party for the teacher who DID pass (who probably shouldn't have)
SusanRandall - I just read on the NB site that alot of the candidates were dealing with that kind of stuff- there was a big discussion- I just go there and read- not post- but they get rather snippy- so I really need to avoid that stuff
SusanRandall - That's what I meant earlier about the pressure being off- not that I am glad the wife did't pass- I don't even know her- but the principal is tops- so I am sure she is, too
Ret in OH - The problem I see with NBPTS website is that many teachers feel that this process is the "golden calf"..that it's the greatest accomplishment that a teacher can obtain. Not true. This is just ONE type of teacher evaluation. Far from perfect and in need
Ret in OH - ....in need of revisions. I think many get a "big head" thinking they are "master teachers".
Ret in OH - I am glad for your sake that the principal's wife didn't pass..it could have been difficult for you.
Ret in OH - You just have to keep the perspective that you are in a professional development endeavor....to improve your teaching practice. If it takes more than 1 year...so be it.
SusanRandall - I will get a big head if I pass- but I will only tell trusted people; it will be a big deal; but it was also a big deal to get degrees, and a huge deal just to get a parent to an IEP meeting after trying for 2 years- we have lots of big deals in our teaching area- never a dull moment
SusanRandall - This is just the next step in a hopefully long journey.
Ret in OH - I don't think you will get such a big head that you can't intelligently reflect and critique the process....many can't or won't do that.
Ret in OH - I am hopeful to pass as I want to "officially" mentor other Exceptional Needs candidates at our college. I love helping teachers.
SusanRandall - Well, you were on the money when you said that it is already known to you that you meet the standards in your teaching- you just have to figure out the best -most convincing evidence to show them
Ret in OH - Most Exceptional Needs teachers are used to analyzing and reflecting on their teaching...I think that's why it may not be such a foreign concept to us.
SusanRandall - I think in my school people(some) will think that I must think a bit too much of myself to even apply to do it- like why do I think I could pass if nobody else they know of in ur county has done it
SusanRandall - That last comment sounds like something I wrote on the site when I got home this evening- we are used to this- read my comments about the record of communications on the site
Ret in OH - I think that most teachers are afraid of not passing. It's publicly known that you are pursuing it and they don't want the embarrassment of not passing. The first teacher in our school district to pass has received a lot of grief from other teachers.
SusanRandall - I think this process is tailor made for us
Ret in OH - They think she's "snobbish" and think she feels that she's better than they are.
Ret in OH - I told the regular ed mentors that the analysis part was easy for me...but writing about my accomplishments was more difficult.
SusanRandall - YOU should get a lot of satisfaction from all you have done to help this group- I told you I would put you on my payroll!
Ret in OH - Yes...but you never said what % of your pay I was getting! :o)
Ret in OH - I enjoy our group. It has really turned into a wonderful support group. I hope to meet many of our members in person some day.
SusanRandall - Actually, being an active member of this group is a professional accomp.- you are spending your free time networking and getting ideas to be a better teacher- so the student is the direct beneficiary- I will send you a verification form along with your dollar if you give me your address :)
Ret in OH - I was just thinking...if 40% is the pass rate...then 400 of us will pass this year. $1?? Actually, I did use this group as an accomplishment. Many members send me verification e-mails...and it was their idea. Very considerate.
SusanRandall - Keeping a sense of humor will never be a problem for me
Ret in OH - What state are you in? Did you tell us?
SusanRandall - The pass rate has to be higher in our area than overall- because of all those reasons in my post I refer to - so it will be interesting when the statistics come out
Ret in OH - You have to have a good sense of humor to survive in our profession for any length of time. I think many teachers are just too serious! I like to have fun at school!
SusanRandall - I am in SC, but at the state line, 20 min from Charlotte, NC-- I am the one who has to go to the airport and see the Rolling Stones in the nearby big city
Ret in OH - Oh...our custodian is big on the Rolling Stones...me...I can't get past the lips!
SusanRandall - Yes, and I can't stand to be around a group of teachers for that reason-- I always say I have fun everywhere I go and that includes work- if someone doesn't like it, they aren't my friend
Ret in OH - NC has a very strong support system for NBPTS candidates....how about SC?
SusanRandall - That was just a cliche for any cultural event I wanted to attend- even tho I did go to see them- for the experience- I don't quote their songs as much as C King or Eric clapton
Ret in OH - One of our teachers couldn't teach a couple of kids how to subtract with borrowing. So, I said I would try...and had it accomplished in 10 minutes. She said, "How did you do that?" I said, "Humor". She said, "I can't say that I've tried that!" How sa
Ret in OH - How sad. :o(
SusanRandall - No-SC has less than100 before the last yr cycle- but our gov . is onto it now and wants 500 by 2002- or something like that- he approved a raise of 6,000 dollars a year above salary scale pay for "us" when we get done- and pay the fee- which they did- but you have to pay it back if you don't pass
SusanRandall - I like to travel, so that would provide me with a nice vacation each year without making my Visa scream so loudly
Ret in OH - You have to pay it back if you don't pass??? Oh No..how terrible! Someone needs to tell them to give you a break! Nice payraise though. OH pays $2500 a year for 10 years
SusanRandall - I guess that payback keeps out the speculators and keeps the task a serious endeavor
Ret in OH - You have to pay it back? How terrible! Someone needs to tell them to give you a break! Nice payraise though. OH pays $2500 for 10 years.
SusanRandall - At least they do pay it- some would be kept out of the process if they had to come up with the cash first
Ret in OH - OH pays the fee. Then we can get 6 semester hours of credit in our county for the process. Most of the cost paid for by a college grant and our school district. A good deal.
Ret in OH - The teacher I told you about that didn't pass the first time, paid again to re-take 2 or 3 entries (about $600)...and then didn't follow through with it. I couldn't believe that she just let it go.
Ret in OH - I didn't think about it that way. I think in OH...you have to pay it back if you don't FINISH it.
SusanRandall - I can't believe we have been at this so long! I am going to let you go to bed- thanks for the private audience! We get to skip getting the 6 hours re-cert for the 10 yr period, too, which saves a lot of time and $$ Thinking about those 4 classes for the time period makes the time spent on the process a little more fair- and our local U is about $600 for a 3hr grad course, so that could be a definite additional benefit
Ret in OH - It's been fun! I think I will go to bed...it's so easy to stay on here so long.
