Teacher Agency Unleashed
A version of old professional development joke goes something like this: A man dies and goes to heaven. Passing the pearly gates, he notices that there are plenty of folks from all professions and walks of life standing around, but no teachers. "Where are all the teachers?" he inquires of God. "Oh, they’re in professional…
Take a breather – and come back exhilarated!
For some of us, this is the most wonderful time of the year. The time leading up to the annual Teaching & Learning conference is exciting and exhausting – a time full of possibilities. I come to the office and colleagues are buzzing. Will major figure X be coming? What about policy leader Y? Will…
Board-Certified Teacher Walks the Red Carpet
We had a chat with 2016 Grammy Music Educator award recipient, Phillip Riggs, NBCT, to learn more about his Grammy moment and his experience with Board certification. Read what he said below! When did you find out that you’d be winning this award? I was notified before the actual CBS This Morning announcement. It was…
Thank You Mr. Gulle, NBCT
Editors Note: This is a guest blog from Suzanne Farmer, NBCT and director of the Kentucky Network to Transform Teaching. The views expressed are her own. As both a teacher and a parent of two school aged girls, I struggle with how to advocate for my children without becoming THAT parent. As a general rule,…
Push or Pull: What do you need?
Truth be told, I needed both. I didn’t always know I wanted to be a teacher. I didn’t always know if my teaching was good. But there I was, regardless of the self-doubt, standing in a room every day with 30 third graders. I was their teacher, the one who was supposed to impart wisdom…
How I Came To Pursue National Board Certification…A Look Back
In 1998, a colleague came to my classroom and talked with me about National Board Certification – a new challenge for accomplished teachers. She had recently earned certification and suggested that I pursue it because she believed I was good enough! She based her conclusion on student work on the walls and by passing my…
Game Plan
Do you remember when you were a National Board Candidate? Do you recall the first time you encountered “NBCT” after someone’s name? Feelings of longing most likely ensued. I recall that time. I was determined that when I achieved National Board Certification, the first thing I would do is add those 4 letters after my…
Student Learning Parallels Educator Learning in National Board Certification
Editor’s Note: Luann Lee is an NBCT teaching chemistry and AP/dual credit chemistry at Newberg High School in Oregon. She is a founding member and current president of Oregon Accomplished Teachers, Oregon’s National Board network. The views expressed in this blog are her own. The goal of every educator is to help students learn. Perhaps…
Are NBCTs more bankable?
Editor’s note: This is a guest blog from Mike Lee, NBCT and Professional Development Director for the Paradise Valley Unified School District in Arizona. The views expressed are his own. Recently, I had a conversation with an administrator who was struggling to choose teacher leaders for a long-term initiative at her school. She indicated her…
Hold a mirror up to your CORE
As the holiday season approaches and the holiday goodies start to appear (yay candy corn!), we should all stop to think… Have I been working on my CORE? If I held up a mirror, what would I see? Are you excited for caramel apples and pumpkin spice lattes? Are you already planning your Thanksgiving Feast?…
