By Darah Protas
Staff Writer ’06“There was so much work to do every weekend, I basically had no life.” Does this sound familiar to anyone? No, it’s not someone from Ms. Bush’s class whining about his math homework; this is a quote from Ms. Bush herself. In order to receive National Board certification, both she and Ms. Finch virtually gave up any free time they had in order to devote themselves the difficult task of becoming National Board certified teachers. The whole process takes about a year and a half, and even after all the hard work, there is only a 39% chance of actually receiving certification. The reward, however, is a welcome 10% raise.
Between breaking cameras, writing papers for the portfolios, and vigorous studying, these two teachers were working harder than their students. Keep in mind that they had to do all this while still teaching during the day and making lesson plans and grading papers by night. Each weekend, Ms. Bush devoted one day to certification and one day to school. Ms. Finch didn’t take vacation. During winter and spring break, she worked on her portfolios.
Basically, National Board certification is a program that determines master teachers, examines what teaching techniques work and don’t work, and allows teachers to reflect on their methods of education.
National board certification takes an amazing amount of work and dedication. More than anything, it sounds like college preparation. It requires just as much time and creates a similar amount of stress. First, applicants take a course online telling them what to expect. For anyone who decides that she’s up for the work, the cost is $2,300. The state will pay for most of the cost for those teachers who do become certified, but teachers who don’t succeed pay out of their own pockets.
The Board requires a compilation of four portfolios. Teachers must be able to prove on paper with statistics that their teaching techniques work, how their students’ grades improve, and what extra activities they do outside of the classroom that have a positive impact inside the classroom. They must also submit two 15-minute unedited videos of students working in the classroom. Then, each teacher is given a test according to the subject she teaches. Ms. Finch had two hours to write eight essays. Ms. Bush took a three-hour test over all high school math.
After all of their hard work, both Ms. Bush and Ms. Finch finally became certified. Ms Finch said of the ordeal, “I’m really glad it’s over and that I don’t have to be embarrassed that I didn’t pass.” Congratulations to both of these hardworking Lassiter teachers. |
