Lin - What is your field?
wanna_friend - Exceptional students...learning disabilities
wanna_friend - I am very new to this....
Lin - New to teaching or new to this chat room?
wanna_friend - new to this chat room
wanna_friend - and new to national board certification
Lin - I have mentally challenged secondary level students. I have never done this before either.
wanna_friend - I guess we will learn together
Lin - I am National Board Certified ECYA Exceptional Needs Sp[ecialist.
wanna_friend - I teach elementary level....interrelated
Lin - Oops. spelling error!
wanna_friend - wow, I am impressed!
wanna_friend - I will need your help in a few months, I bet
Lin - Maybe I can help you get through the process?
wanna_friend - Wow, someone to help me? I can't believe it!
wanna_friend - I am going through the Knowledgeable Teachers Course...have you heard of it?
Lin - It is a genuine offer. I would be happy to help. I needed good mentors when I was a candidate.
Lin - I have not heard of it. What is it?
wanna_friend - It is like a prerequisite to NBCertification
Lin - Where do you teach?
wanna_friend - I teach in Georgia
wanna_friend - where do you teach?
Lin - Where do you take the course?
Lin - I teach in Miami, FL.
wanna_friend - I take it through our school at this point
wanna_friend - certified NBC person that is in charge of it
wanna_friend - this is more of a self study ....
Lin - Is it helping you understand the process any better?
wanna_friend - well, since i don't understand the process, I guess this is a step in the right direction
Lin - To get through National Boards, you have to be organized. There is a ton of paper generated.
wanna_friend - I do have a question if u would like to assist me
Bluebird - This is the first "chat" I have had.
Lin - Ask away.
wanna_friend - I am having to write a 6 page paper on my role with parents
wanna_friend - an abbreviated portion of what i will have to do
wanna_friend - but what are some examples of things that I could be doing?
Lin - Parental communication for NBC involves two way communications.
wanna_friend - I know...do you have some examples?
Lin - Keep a parent log with how the contact was made and what was decided.
wanna_friend - I mean, I communicate daily...always have...
Lin - Try to have some entries in which the parent reaches out to you.
wanna_friend - I do that....but, my involvement in the communication?
Bluebird - Oh just figured out where to view the chat. I quit last year. I had just moved to a new school and it was way too much for me. I have signed up again, but that is all. Too busy with opening of school.
Lin - In the log, put down what was discussed, what was decided, and when future contact will be made.
wanna_friend - wait, i am not making myself very clear, am i?
Lin - Discuss how you gain knowledge about the student by talking to the parents.
wanna_friend - There are 3 levels of involvement
Lin - Discuss how you are able to teach the student more effectively as a result of communicating with the parents.
wanna_friend - my leadership level, my activities as a learner and my involvement with parents
wanna_friend - is this ringing a bell? or am i in left field??
gh - anybody completed nbc yet?
wizzlewolf - Hello all!
wanna_friend - Not me gh
wanna_friend - has
cindy - nope, just started
wanna_friend - hi wizzlewolf!
wanna_friend - hi wizzlewolf!welcome
wizzlewolf - I have
cindy - congrats!
wanna_friend - I haven't started....
Lin - I am National Board Certified ECYA Exceptional Needs Specialist.
wizzlewolf - But not in Ex. Needs. Although I teach severely emotionally disturbed.
Lin - My students are mentally challenged, with some visually impaired, deaf, and physically impaired thrown in.
Bluebird - even bad communication? I have a parent who just blasted the principal away because she couldn't understand what was wrong with steeling. also, she never returns anything back to school.
Lin - Does anybody have their box yet?
cindy - I'm an itinerant Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments - I hope this process will work for me too
cindy - Yes, I've got my box.
wanna_friend - I just need some ideas as to what my involvement should be
wanna_friend - No box here!
Lin - Record everything. Be creative about trying new strategies to effect better communication with the difficult parent.
wanna_friend - they listed ideas such as a newsletter, etc...
wizzlewolf - Bluebird remember: you will not have to account for EVERY parent communication, just a portion during the year. If you have a parent that is outrageous or inappropriate, you can use your judgement as to whether include it.
Lin - Demonstrate how you listen to the parents to find out what their concerns for their children are.
wanna_friend - do i need to go that far out?
Lin - Demonstrate how you learn from the parents and can teach their children more effectively as a result.
Lin - YOU will choose which communications you use.
wanna_friend - hmmmmmm
wizzlewolf - Are all the newbies on the Ex. Needs listserv?
Lin - Schedule a parent meeting about a topic of interest.
wanna_friend - the way they worded it to me was this has to be something above what normally would be done
Lin - Start a parent newsletter to let them know what goes on in your class.
wizzlewolf - That is one of the most active listservs and can be very helpful.
Bluebird - no, what is the address?
cindy - I'm on the listserv
Lin - Solicit parent volunteers.
wizzlewolf - Hold on, I will get it for you......
wizzlewolf - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/exceptional-needs/
wanna_friend - If i did a newsletter, i couldn't include kids names...breach of confidentiality, correct?
Bluebird - I am in the lowest income area of GA.
wanna_friend - I am in GA too
wanna_friend - where in GA???
Lin - I am able to include names in my newsletter because it goes only to classmembers. But check with your school system.
cindy - I'm in the middle of KY
Bluebird - Thanks, I did a newsletter last year. I used names on birthdays.
wizzlewolf - Wanna, you don't have to include names or need to. I have a class newsletter and send it home to keep parents informed about classroom happenings without mentioning individual students.
Lin - I am in Miami, FL
Bluebird - Ludowici
wanna_friend - hmmm, that is a good idea....
wanna_friend - I am just a hair south of atlanta
Lin - I put in my newsletter information about units of study and how the parents can follow through at home.
cindy - I don't have my own class . . . so much for a newsletter
Lin - I also use student comments. I ask them to "rate" the cafeteria food, for example.
wanna_friend - now that is a good idea...could publish samples of their work
Lin - I have them to "TV" reports sometimes instead of book reports.
wanna_friend - I have a resource class
gh - how many accomplishments do we need to include in entry 4
wizzlewolf - Cindy, why no class?
cindy - I'm an itinerant
Bluebird - Would anyone like to send me their email address so I can contact them for questions after this chat is over?
Lin - I have a "student of the week" or an "artist of the week". Use whatever you can to uplift the kids.
wizzlewolf - gh, it is NOT about quanity, it is about quality. There is no magic number
wanna_friend - good ideas
Lin - lindadunn49@hotmail.com
wanna_friend - thanks a million
wizzlewolf - Bluebird, I have a NBC website. You might enjoy it. My email link is on the bottom of the page.
wizzlewolf - htttp://www.wizzlewolf.com/nbc.html
wanna_friend - thanks lin...
Lin - Put your best accomplishments in. This is your judgement. Just keep to the page limits.
wizzlewolf - opps
wanna_friend - i will use it...
wizzlewolf - http://www.wizzlewolf.com/nbc.html
Bluebird - my bottom is gone, can't see it.
wizzlewolf - That's better
wanna_friend - your bottom??
wanna_friend - smiling
Lin - Your do not have to "hang the moon". Just show that you gain from you interactions with parents.
wizzlewolf - When you are writing about accomplishments remember that each accomplishment should link and be very important to student achievement.
wanna_friend - thisis a new perspective
Lin - Oops. Bad spelling on my part......
Lin - Show that you are making parents your friends, not your enemies.
wanna_friend - this is a slow way to communicate....there has to be a better way!
wanna_friend - I have been teaching for 17 years...I haven't made many enemies!
Bluebird - I have a question about the communication part. I have the kit from last year.
Lin - Definitely, everything has to relate to student achievement and how you become a better teacher.
wizzlewolf - Shoot Bluebird
Lin - I am beginning my 32nd year. I hope I have not made enemies........
wanna_friend - hats off to you...
Bluebird - Well, since I just happened upon this chat. I am not prepared, but i remember getting frustated last year. I think it was a teaching lesson involving communication?
Lin - Follow the directions for the entry. Answer the questions thoroughly.
cindy - the portfolio instructions say communication or literacy
Lin - Communication can be verbal, written, sign language, communication boards, body language, etc.
Bluebird - I don't actually teach lessons on communication. Listening maybe.
Lin - I used oral language - receptive and expressive - in my entry.
gh - i've taught resource in NC for 18 years and so far no one in my county has Except NBC
Lin - Bluebird, what or who do you teach?
wanna_friend - wow, no one in my county has it either....
gh - i hear the assessments are hard
cindy - me too, shudder
Bluebird - I would feel better with literacy. I don't need communication boards, but I do present the sign language for each letter when teaching sounds and letters.
Lin - You two will be the first in your respective counties!
wanna_friend - yes i hope to be
Lin - How exciting. We have a lot here in Miami.
gh - i was hoping to hook up with someone who has completed it
cindy - for literacy, I'm thinking of working with a preschooler using a story box
Lin - The assessment involves putting your best teaching practices into words with given scenarios.
cindy - I've heard that Florida is VERY supportive incentivewise
wizzlewolf - gh, are you on the Ex. Needs listserv?
Bluebird - Right now I am teaching self-contained Interretted class K-3 only.
Lin - The preschooler and the story box is on the right track. Develop that more fully.
wizzlewolf - Well, Florida is a good NB state, but they sure don't make it easy.
cindy - will do
gh - but some of the examples i have seen involve coteaching or things i don't do in resource
Lin - Agree, Wissle
wizzlewolf - zzzzzzzzzzzzzz LIN zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
cindy - it seems like the national board itself doesn't make it easy
wizzlewolf - LOL
Lin - You teach in the way you teach. Do not try to do what someone else has done.
Bluebird - did anyone attend the workshop on St. Simons in early summer at Epworth by the Sea?
Lin - Folks, this is not a cakewalk. It is a hard, rigorous, time consuming, frustrating process. But it is worth it.
wanna_friend - I expect it to be time consuming
cindy - I heard that too
wanna_friend - but knowing that there is support surely does help
Lin - It is the most difficult thing I have ever done professionally.
cindy - I do hope, but don't expect, that someone in my field will judge my work
Lin - I would be happy to help. My mentors were invaluable.
wizzlewolf - Well Cindy, like every thing else it is an institutional bureaucracy. You have to live with all the paperwork, confusion, and be prepared to be part of a "system".
cindy - I'm well versed in "system"
Bluebird - It was about Augmentive communication. I thought it would help me, but it was too low functioning for my kids. The software though was good. I thought I might do something with that. Story book weaver or something like that.
Lin - NBC has a rigid "system". Do not question the process. Follow the directions to the "T".
Bluebird - Lin, are you willing to give your email for further chats?
cindy - following
wizzlewolf - Do NB like you do your taxes....just like the IRS
Lin - Your lessons do no have to be perfect. In fact, you must reflect on how you would improve them.
Lin - lindadunn49@hotmail.com I got through it the first time. WHEW!
Lin - Just have a rationale for what you are doing. Explain that rationale. If it does not work, explain that too.
Lin - It is all about reflecting on the process, not being perfect.
gh - wiz, is the list serv you mentioned the one at the nbpts site?
cindy - good, perfection is not one of my strong points
Bluebird - A teacher came to our school last year and gave several monthly sessions on all this, so I am ok with going to the "T" on things, but no one there was in exceptional children. I was in a group all by myself. I joined NEA and Page because both organizations provide workshops here in ga (once a month). I haven't heard anything this year though.
wizzlewolf - In fact, NB encourages you to say what went wrong and how you plan to improve the next time. That is what it is all about: reflection, analysis, improvement.
gh - sorry, i forget i'm not talking to NC people - the NBC site where you find the application, etc.
cindy - my school district has monthly "support" meetings of new folks, candidates in waiting and those already certified by NB
wizzlewolf - NO gh. The Yahoo listserv is independent. However, the Ex. Needs Yahoo listserv is one of the best.
Lin - My union provides monthly mentoring sessions between NBCT's and candidates.
Lin - Give details on the listserv and how to join please.
wizzlewolf - Cindy, our district does that too. It is sponsored by the teacher's union
wizzlewolf - The Yahoo listserv can be found at:
wizzlewolf - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/exceptional-needs/
Bluebird - Are there any meetings with just exceptional needs that you know about? i am willing to go to Miami or NC if need be. I just would like help in this area.
Lin - If you do not have your box yet, download the standards at nbpts.org and become knowledgable about them.
wizzlewolf - There is a button on the very top right which says "JOIN THIS GROUP"
Lin - Thanks for address.
Lin - I think I am a member already
cindy - I have a friend who went through this process last year . . . she said that the best support she got (including her designated mento) was through the exceptional needs listserv
cindy - oops, I meant mentor
Lin - Our meetings are for all candidates. But we break out into small sessions according to subject.
gh - are there any books or articles i should read?
wizzlewolf - Cindy, I am not kidding. I look in all many of the listservs. EX. NEEDS is one of the best. Those candidates are very lucky.
Lin - Read the standards. Pay attention to which standards are to be addressed in each entry.
cindy - Great! I'm glad I joined the listserv!
wizzlewolf - gh, just know YOUR stuff. Read up on current trends in special ed. Read up on educational research and learn the current jargon.
Lin - As you answer the italized questions, meet the standards.
Bluebird - I have downloaded and have last year's box. There are some differences. They say this year is easier. I just happen to be ADD but not HD. This is no help at all. I have been in the classroom for 29 years now. All exceptional needs. 13 years in North Fl and 17 years in GA. this is the only way to get a good raise before I retire.
Lin - I hear you, bluebird. I am in Florida and too far to go to Georgia.
wizzlewolf - That is the true bottom line. READ and DO what they tell you to do in the directions. I have been mentoring for nearly four years. The BIGGEST mistake is not paying attention to what NB wants you do and tells you to do in the DIRECTIONS>
Lin - Incorporate the child's IEP in planning your lesson. Relate your lesson to the IEP in some way.
cindy - wow a mentor for four years! thanks for that!
Lin - Be current in your teaching practices. Show that you know your field and your students.
Lin - Show that you gain insight from other teachers, parents, etc.
wizzlewolf - cindy, it isn't a big deal. It is just I certified in 99 and never left. I have been helping candidates through email, listservs, and my website since then.
Bluebird - That sound good and easy.
cindy - I'll be using that address!
Lin - Decide how you will organize your entries. The paperwork can be overwhelming.
gh - thanks for the tips, signing off!
cindy - one of the listserv suggestions was to organize each entry into a separate binder and add along the way
Bluebird - I just figured out that you can lift the message area an make it bigger to read instead of scrolling. Can you go further down and look for information stated at the begining of this chat?
Lin - I used big accordian folders - one for each entry. Every paper dealing with that entry went into that file.
Lin - At the bottom you can see the beginnings. Scroll at the bottom.
Bluebird - I used a large notebook last year, but I like the idea of a binder for each entry.
wizzlewolf - Cindy, you have to find YOUR own way to organize. What works for you? I never used binders. I bought a big plastic tub and kept EVERYTHING NB in it. Most of my stuff was on the computer so I would keep the paperwork, "BOX" stuff, and disks in the big tub. You have to find a way that works for you.
cindy - I imagine that I'll be printing out hard copies for folks to read, so I'll probably start out with binders
wizzlewolf - That makes sense for you. I never had one person read anything of mine.
cindy - since I'm in such a specialized field, I think I need to make sure that what I write is not too confusing for those who will be scoring my entries
Bluebird - I helped my sister by reading hers (media). At all the workshops the mentors would read over anyone who requested it. It helped , I think.
Lin - Make your writing clear and convincing.
Lin - Above all, answer the questions.
Lin - If you answer the questions with the standards in mind, you are going in the right direction.
Bluebird - I am going now, but I will be checking out the web site and thanks for you email Lin.
NineInchNails84 - got a idea
wizzlewolf - Cindy, that is fine. Sometimes others reading for you is a comfort and reassurance. Great!
NineInchNails84 - for spelling
Lin - anytime, bye
Lin - I did not have anyone in my field read my entries. I had my children read them for grammatical errors.
Lin - No other concerns?
cindy - signing off - thanks for your help
wanna_friend - I have too many to address
wanna_friend - I have left my notebook at school and will email you with my questions if you don't mind!
Lin - Just ask whenever you are ready
wanna_friend - I have finished 7 out of the 8 modules required for this prep course
wanna_friend - hung up on the one dealing with my activity at the school and parent level
wanna_friend - will have to get the wording of it tomorrow....
Lin - Use your parent log. Show two way communication. Welcome parent volunteers into your classroom.
