Ret in OH - I completed NBPTS in Mild/Moderate Exceptional Needs
Ret in OH - How about you...Barbo and Stone?
Stone - HI havaen't yet, but plan to this year.
Stone - How was it?
Ret in OH - Stone...in the area of Exceptional Needs? Which area?
Ret in OH - The process is time consuming so you don't want to procrastinate. The earlier you get started...the better.
Stone - What areas are there?
Ret in OH - Do you mean within Exceptional Needs?
Stone - yes
Ret in OH - Mild/Moderate; Severe/Multiple; Deaf; Blind; Early Childhood
Ret in OH - Whatever certification area you choose ... you must have at least 4 students in that area. Barbo is still here.
Stone - I'd do Mild/Moderate - I teach Resource
Stone - what was the hardest part?
Ret in OH - You will have 6 portfolio entries: Assessment; Literacy/Communication; Social Skills; Investigating Student Learning; Professional Development; Outreach to Families
Barbo - I am an elementary resource teacher. I have the box but am just starting to look at things.
Ret in OH - The hardest part was figuring out exactly what NBPTS was looking for and starting to write. The Assessment Center was a litle nerve-wracking
Betsy - I teach autistic kids
Barbo - I am trying to decide what to do for the social skills section.
Spedguy - I am in Calif and teacher cert is a nightmare
Spedguy - probably contributes to our severe sped teacher shortage
Tracy - I have Ohio certification and was looking to get certified in CA and ended giving up
Debra - Barbo, if you glance through a social skills book, something may catch your eye
Betsy - my son is a student at the school also, he is autistic
Barbo - Does anyone have any suggestions?
Betsy - where do you get the social books from?
Ret in OH - Barbo...I think you will have to determine the social skills...as it pertains to the needs of your students
Ret in OH - You can purchase the book: Teaching Social Skills to Children by Gwendolyn Cartledge at Amazon.com (a textbook)
mgold - Hi- Just got that book -in wrapper
Ret in OH - It's a great book
Debra from Florida - That social skills book is what I used. I had several ideas and could not decided. So I looked through a book and saw something that knocked me on my head and I knew it was the one to target.
Ret in OH - If you are in our Exceptional Needs Support Group...there are internet links and files that you can begin looking at as well. Also...many companies sell social skills materials
Barbo - Guess I will try and order it. My school does character education. Could I use that as the social skills?
Betsy - how do you get in the support group?
Ret in OH - To join our support group, go to http://www.egroups.com/subscribe/EXCEPTIONAL-NEEDS We have 210 candidates in our group
Barbo - I do belong to the website but have not looked at the links yet.
Debra from Florida - Your social skill should be above and beyond what everyone has to do, is that right Loretta?
Ret in OH - Character ed will work too
Barbo - This chat room is a great idea. I can see it being really useful as the year goes on.
Ret in OH - I'm not sure that the social skill has to be above and beyond what others do....just so that it is tailored to student's needs. (I think above and beyond refers more to entries 5 & 6
Barbo - I am also trying to find a camera. There are seven other teachers at my school going for NBPTS so the camera will be busy.
Ret in OH - Barbo...is there a local college support group? If so, they sometimes provide a video camera and someone to videotape for you
Barbo - My principal signed my up for mentor training because she thought it would be good for me to put in the portfolio. It finishes in December so it should work.
Barbo - I don't know. I will check. Thanks.
mgold - Ret, Can we do social skills in the context of a subject area?
Barbo - I keep hoping that I will have enough to talk about when it gets to be time to write.
Ret in OH - Whatever you do...it must illustrate your knowledge of social skills. In the entry instructions, it states that your video MUST show you engaging students in social development instruction.
Debra from Florida - Barbo, you will find the words. They really come quickly when you start describing everything.
Debra from Florida - Plus, you will be describing the kids, their backrounds, why you selected them...etc
Ret in OH - Barbo...just start writing...once you get started....it will become easier
Ret in OH - Any other questions tonight about the National Board process?
Ret in OH - Bobby...are you pursuing National Board certification?
Debra in Florida - You know I learned so much by joining the support group first. The box petrified me. I looked through it, then closed it for a month and could not look at it. BUT i was in the support group everyday reading the mail.
Debra in Florida - ed tons and was able to go forward. We all process differently
Barbo - I am planning on getting my parents together to discuss things but I don't think that many will show. Does it matter? Or is it just important that I tried?
Ret in OH - I had a similar reaction....I opened the box, looked through it, put on all the labels an the "pidly" things...then closed it back up and didn't open it again for about a month and a half....I don't recommend that
mgold - Barbo, I have the same problem with lack of participation- one or two parents at open house- I think they want evidence that we attempted, but I'm really not sure ???
Ret in OH - Barbo...I think it is the effort....not how many show up
Betsy - I want to join the exceptional needs support group, I'm from MD
Debra in Florida - Hi Betsy, do you know how to join?
Barbo - The support group has been really helpful. I print anything I think I might need in the future and are putting them in a notebook as a reference.
Ret in OH - About parent participation...if you offer inservices, etc....perhaps one of the parents will be able to sign a verification form about the value of what you have done
Betsy - my e-mail address is: MCalv17819@aol.com
Hilda - Betsy, I am a new candidate. When you join the support group, go into the files and links. They are invaluable.
Ret in OH - Betsy....I'll sign you up to our group as soon as our chat session ends tonight
Betsy - that's great Hilda, I start back to school on Monday
Betsy - fantastic!
Barbo - You all have been very helpful tonight. I plan on being here a lot as I go through the process. Thanks. Have to go.
Betsy - i plan to be here alot also, thanks so much
Ret in OH - Goodnight Barbo! Thanks for stopping by
Ret in OH - Hilda...have you started getting your permission slips yet? You're back in school now...right?
Betsy - where are you all from and what population do you teach?
Hilda - Yes, I have about 90% of my permission slips back for the quarter. I will need to do it again in 7 more weeks. I have been taping, just to get a feel of what I see. It is fun.
Ret in OH - Hilda...are you working on social skills? I thought I remembered seeing a message about that.
Hilda - Yes, I am working on social skills. My real problem with that is the fact that I teach English. I am afraid that my social skills entry will look contrived.
Ret in OH - I bet that you are working on social skills everyday in your english classes
Ret in OH - Hi Crystal...you've been here before...yes?
Hilda - But, I have settled on cooperative learning skills with an emphasis on work place skills, and inclusion.
Cr ystal - Yes, I'm the one who works with hearing impaired students
Ret in OH - Crystal...you have your box...yes?
Ret in OH - I think that sounds good Hilda...work place skills are very important
Crystal - No , not yet however, it should be coming soon. I've started to recieve my employment , licensure verification forms... I'm assuming it will be soon
Crystal - I have started brainstorming ways I meet the standards of diversity and social skills.
Ret in OH - Crystal...did you find anyone in our Exceptional Needs group who is also working on the Hearing Impaired certification? I know there is at least 1 or 2. Yes...you have to return the verification forms so that they know what certification area to send yo
Hilda - It is interesting that social skills seems to bother a lot of us.
Crystal - They already have that information..Its listed on my forms... The forms do not have to be returned til January 2001.. Does that mean that I will not get my box til i send all the forms back ?
Crystal - No I have not found anyone yet in my certificate area
Debra in Florida - I do not think you will get your box till all forms are in.
mgold - I'm sorry for butting in, but what forms?
Hilda - I think the forms that Crystal is talking about are the workplace verification forms, and the school certification form, that stuff.
Ret in OH - mgold---after you apply for NBPTS----you will receive verification forms for employment, licensure, and context
mgold - oh, thanks-!
Hilda - Those are the ones!
Crystal - I am working with the regular education teachers ( the classes that my students are mainstreamed are in)...I'm starting to plan a unit where I can go in and teach the whole class (including my students) about deafness and deaf culture...I'm not real clear yet on how I'm going to approach this unit. I'm thinking that my ultimate goal is to teach the hearing kids in the class , as well as, my deaf students ways to appreciate each others differences. I'm hoping that it will allow both groups to learn ways to communicate with each other better despite their communication differences.. Does this make sense ?
Ret in OH - Crystal...I'll put out a message to our group tonight and see if I can "dig up" those members in your area for you
Hilda - Do I have to get my college degree verified for NBPTS if I have been teaching for foreve?
Crystal - Thanks!
Ret in OH - Crystal...I like it...it definitely fits the Diversity standard...you may be able to include it in the Communication entry...are you going to teach the "regular kids" alternative communication?
Hilda - Crystal, our hearing resource teacher is coming into my class and teaching my students how to read things like body language, etc. Which my LD's need. There is an idea for you.
Ret in OH - Hilda....If you've been teaching for 3 years or more...you only need to send in the Employment Verification Form and the Licensure verification form (not the education verification)
Hilda - Good! That is a relief! I am sure my grades are buried very deep.
Crystal - Yes, that is going to be part of my plan. I have some very good stories that include deaf children as characters in the story. The fourth grade class that I'm working in, the teacher is very big on literacy developement and increasing the students interest in books. I'm wanting to tie in literature too. This way my deaf students can also see and relate to characters in the stories just like them ! I'm excited about this..
Crystal - I've been teaching for 7 years.. so this means that I do not have to send in the verification of education forms for sure ?
Ret in OH - I think you've got a winner here....could be Communication/Literacy, or Social Skills
Crystal - I hope I'm not boring you out there with this. I've been talking with every one about my ideas to get feed back.
Ret in OH - If you've been teaching for 3 years or more and you had to have a degree to get your license....you only send in the License verification and the Employment Verification
Hilda - Crystal, I bore everyone too. I even asked one of our AP's if she would read my entries, and watch some tape instead of the usual observation! She said yes.
Ret in OH - The more you talk about your ideas...the more you will refine them....and you will be excited and amazed at what they will develop into. My social skill entry was like that...it just kind of developed right before my eyes!
Crystal - haha.. I guess we get so caught up in this that we want to tell every one...I guess I'm a little too excited about this .. :)
Ret in OH - Excitement is good! It generates creativity! :o)
Crystal - WEll I have another idea.. that I think could focus under social skills or literacy.. wanna hear it ?
Ret in OH - Sure!
Hilda - Yes
Crystal - My school just added on prek - k deaf and hard of hearing program. There are three little girls. My deaf and hard of hearing students in the upper grades struggle sometimes with reading and language.. Therefore , their self confidence suffers sometimes in what they can and can not do.. So........
Ret in OH - I see where you're going...
Crystal - I have arranged and will be starting a program where we are going to pair one of the upper grade students, with a kindergardner and preschooler to be reading buddies
Hilda - That is a wonderful idea.
Ret in OH - Excellent...now between your 2 programs....you have to really think about which one more clearly demonstrates Social Skills and which one most clearly demonstrates Literacy/Communication....use the idea where it is the strongest emphasis
Hilda - Maybe one of the best things about this process is that we think and think some more and come up with so many wonderful teaching strategies.
Crystal - Again, this is an idea of mine.. I told the teacher that I am going to sit down and organize my thoughts and start this after Labor Day.. I'm hoping that what will happen is that my kids start to build their self confidence in reading and at the same time be role models for the little kids...
Ret in OH - I agree Hilda.....and I love the networking with teachers across the country
Hilda - I do too. And the NBC teachers here are so positive. They are too excited about teaching to spend all that time complaining!
Ret in OH - Crystal...do you have a sense of which entry you will use these 2 ideas for...which way are you leaning?
Crystal - Yeah you are right, one of the problems that I'm facing right now is that.. This kind of stuff is starting to be on my mind all of the time...Its Friday, and all I want to do is start the plans, however I promised my husband that I wouldn't start til tomorrow morning! :)
Crystal - NO, I have no idea!!!!!
Hilda - Crystal you are too funny!
Ret in OH - I know what you mean Crystal...my social skills and literacy entries were my favorites---the excitement kept growing and getting more intense...keeping me awake at nights
Crystal - I havent' thought about that.. It really sounds like they could go either way
Ret in OH - Sketch out your ideas....look over your entries and what is required....the questions to answer, etc....think about your goals....and read those standards associated with each entry....that should help you clarify which entry to use each with
Crystal - Let me go back to the forms we were talking about earlier...
Crystal - Do I need to get them in ASAP, so that I can get my box... Or will it come anyway
Hilda - Crystal, do you have a copy of the Standards?
Crystal - yes
Hilda - Good!
Crystal - That's all I have
Hilda - I received the forms you are talking about after the BOX.
Crystal - Oh really, should I be concerned?
Ret in OH - Let's see...it states that if you don't submit the forms by the deadline your portfolio won't be scored and you can't take the assessment center exercises. It looks like this is just to make sure you are eligible. Your box will probably still come...but
Hilda - I have no idea. I sent in my application in June, the BOX arrived the end of July. You could call.
Ret in OH - I received the verification forms about a month BEFORE I received the box...
Crystal - Then I should be okay !
Ret in OH - (But remember...our boxes last year were not available until December)
Hilda - I am sure you are, but you could still call.
Crystal - Would they be able to tell me if the box has been sent out ?
Ret in OH - Let me finish that thought that got cut off....your box will probably still come...but I'd get your verification forms in ASAP...and keep a copy
Hilda - How did you do all that work in so short a time span? Did you have the standards before the BOX arrived?
Ret in OH - Yes...I think they can tell you...give them a call
Ret in OH - I bought the standards in the summer and started reading them. I didn't really start on my portfolio until February and mailed it in May. It's do-able....but I would have rather had a longer time
Hilda - You are super woman teacher!!! Crystal, keep records of phone calls. That form is in your BOX.
Ret in OH - I didn't start until February because I had "brain-lock" when I started to write. I had to force myself to just start writing...and then the writer's block went away. Each entry became easier to write
Crystal - I've already started doing that.. I just created my own form til those come in...
Hilda - I am glad to hear each one becomes easier. I have total block.
Crystal - I have one question about Family Partnerships... I can't remember which standard that is...
Ret in OH - Standard 12
Crystal - What kinds of things do we need to be doing to meet that standard... I do IEP meeting of course, I send newsletters home with suggestions on how the parents can help their child at home...Are those the kinds of things that they are talking about ?
Hilda - Crystal, I was told that an IEP meeting is a part of my job, this requires the things you do that are beyond job requirements. Right?
Crystal - That is true.. This is one of those areas where I haven't become creative yet
Crystal - What are you doing?
Ret in OH - Things like newsletter, websites, inservices, parent training, ways to keep parents up-to-date that are "different", etc....yes...most items must be above and beyond what is expected of all teachers
Sherry in NC - Remember the standards are looking for involvolment beyond what is required for your job.
Crystal - I' ve considered doing a website
Hilda - Crystal, one thing I am doing is sending homework that requires family interaction. This works for high school. I wish I had done this years ago. The parents, kids and families are loving it.
Ret in OH - But also...remember that you will keep a Communication Log (start one now if you haven't)...Who was contacted, Why, How, and the Outcome. You will probably use a few pages of the log to show a variety of ways you communicate with parents
Ret in OH - Also....how can you get parents more involved in their child's education?
Crystal - Interactive homework is a good idea!.. I've thought about videotaping my students signing their vocabulary words, then taking the tapes home to watch with their parents. This way they are learning sign language with their child....
Sherry in NC - I agree. Start the communication log now. Wish I had been able to have "the box" as school started last year. You can put things like the communication log into practice at the beginning of the year and really concentrate on good documentation.
Ret in OH - Good idea Hilda
Hilda - That is a wonderful idea.
Ret in OH - Excellent idea Crystal....see...you are getting creative already
Sherry in NC - I like the video taping idea, too
Hilda - I am using the NBC log. I have made one for each student. Is that what you did?
Ret in OH - mb_dazed---are you pursuing National Board certification?
Hilda - And, am I going to turn in all of them? I will have so many. I call a lot!
mb_dazed - I need some advice on how to manage my BED class for video taping I have to do
Ret in OH - Hilda...I used one continuous log for all students for the NBPTS....this year...I'm using 1 log for each student
Ret in OH - Can you be more specific mb_dazed?
mb_dazed - Well I have to videp tape my class and I can't get my kids to cooperate. Thay won't go on as usual
mb_dazed - They freak out when the tape starts rolling
mb_dazed - wb Sherry
Ret in OH - Hilda...everyone turns in a different amount. Some only use 1 page...I think I sent 3 pages. You will send as many pages as it takes to show that you use a variety of methods to communicate with parents. You will also know how many to use as you will h
Ret in OH - mb_dazed....put a piece of tape over the red button so they don't know that it's running. Have it running all the time...start it rolling just before they come in. They will probably get used to seeing it and will get used to it. You could also use a b
Ret in OH - You could also use a behavior management technique to obtain more cooperation...incentives??
Hilda - mbdazed, I have my video in the room from day 1. They are used to it now.
Ret in OH - Also though...some candidates had difficulty with student behavior during videotapes...and it actually turned into something they could write about
Sherry in NC - Try taping other activites in the class as well. The key is to make taping a regular occurance in the classroom. After a while, the students forget about it.
mb_dazed - I have had mine in there too but they can't seem to get used to it
mb_dazed - I just keep trying to do different things
Ret in OH - Do you think they would settle down if the principal were doing the video taping for you?
Hilda - My students are concerned about who will be featured on the tape. Sometimes I think they are auditiioning for it.
Sherry in NC - I had more trouble with the adults I shared a room with remembering I was taping. I had several great shots of the other EC Teacher's backside !
mb_dazed - I have plenty to write about with these characters
Ret in OH - mb_dazed....I would guess that you don't have any problem coming up with a social skills entry
mb_dazed - No you are right about that one
Sherry in NC - and I'm getting booted off by my teenager. Bye for now.....
Ret in OH - Goodnight Sherry
Hilda - ...and I am off to eat! Bye for now. Thank you.
Ret in OH - Good night Hilda
crystal - Well, I'm guess I'm off too.. Thanks Hilda for your help and for listening to me..
crystal - Thanks Ret.
crystal - I'll talk to you both again soon. Good bye for now
Ret in OH - Good night Crystal...great talking with you
