Everyone take a deep breath. I'm sorry that the original poster
about this was heavy-handed but there is some truth in her
assertion that a continuing theme of this site is that everyone
should get certified-they worked hard, they paid the money, and if
they don't make it there's something wrong with the system. While
there may be something wrong with the system and every system for
evaluating anybody at anything, not every teacher who attempts this
will attain it. And it should be that way!
Whatever tool you use, not everyone will score as exceptional.
Teaching has become a semi-profession. It does not pay well and
increasing the best and brightest go somewhere else. While
nurturing children is an absolute necessity for teaching, so is
intellectual competence in subject matter. Increasingly the second
is a problem.
NBPTS was in part an attempt to remedy the sinking feeling in many
parts of our nation that many teachers were not intellectually
ready for maximum performance in a classroom. I do know teachers
with that problem.
As for demeaning the profession, when I go looking for a doctor, I
want one who is board certified. Are there kind caring doctors
without certification? Probably. But I want the best for my health
and I want the best for my children. There is nothing wrong with
that kind of elitism.
A little elitism is education would be a good thing. It would be
wonderful if teachers had the prestige and respect that other
professions receive. We are our own worst enemies.
Of course, there are wonderful teaches without certification but
not all teachers who attempt the process will score exemplary
according to its standards. Right now we don't have a better
method. You want to go to straight testing? I can do that well.
You want to have people come and watch me teach? I can do that
well. You want to hear me do inservice for other teachers? I can
do that well.
But whatever we pick, people who don't meet whatever standard is
set will complain loudly on this site.
On 5/16/08, also an NBCT wrote:
> OP - IF you are an NBCT? The very fact that you achieved
> demonstrates that the system is flawed. The NBCT system is about
> teachers being leaders and supporters for other teachers, as well
> as advocates for the profession. Your very post, while your
> misguided attempt may have been to defend the NBPTS process, has
> singlehandedly destroyed its validity. Throughout the
> educationa; and political arena, it is being debated whether or
> not the NBPTS is an effective tool in identifying highly
> qualified, exceptional teachers. Your post has provided evidence
> for those opposing the process in providing an example of an
> elitist attitude of NBCT's who feel they are above others in the
> profession. While I am proud to be an NBCT, I am also
> appreciative for my coworkers who (1) choose not to attempt the
> process and (2) consistently demonstrate the NBCT ideals, yet do
> not achieve the NBCT status. Your post not only ridicules and
> diminishes NBPTS, it also demeans the professionalism of teachers
> everywhere. The fact that you are an NBCT makes me reluctant to
> state that I am as well. Get a life, a professional life, and
> start demonstrating the ideals that you are supposed to stand for
> as an NBCT.
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