It was April of 2018 when I made a decision that would take me on an incredible educational journey. I decided to attempt National Board Certification. I approached my principal at the time and asked her if she knew anything about it. She suggested that I contact the AZK12 center. I didn’t know of anyone that was a National Board Certified Teacher. When I contacted the AZK12 center, they were amazing about giving me information about classes, and coaching and support that I would need to make my journey successful. I was at a point in my life where I could take the time and energy to focus on improving my teaching and keep growing as an educator. For me, it was a perfect time to attempt two of the four components. I decided to tackle components 2 and 3. I had to plan and organize what I was going to do and get goals and deadlines for myself. I submitted components 2 and 3 in May of 2019. Waiting until December for results seemed like an eternity! Part of me wanted to wait to see how I did on those two components before attempting component 4, but for me, component 4 was very involved. I decided to begin preparing for component 1 and collecting data for component 4 while I waited for my results of components 2 and 3. In December of 2019, I received my scores for components 2 and 3. All the classes, coaching, and support from the AZK12 center worked! I did well on those components, and I was already working toward completing component 4 and preparing for component 1. Then in March of 2020, the world changed, we were not ready for Covid-19.
I was so close to finishing my goal! Thankfully, I had collected all my data for component 4 before we had to teach online. The biggest challenge for me was getting my component 1 test scheduled. I had to reschedule nine times in three states. Every time I would get a testing center confirmed, I would get an email that canceled my test. It was tough! I finally was able to get a testing date and completed component 1 in the summer of 2020. It was time to wait. Teaching in the fall of 2020 was exceptionally difficult, but we carried on and the waiting continued. When scores were released in December, I learned that I had achieved National Board Certification and I cried! It had been such a difficult year, but I was reminded that I started this process to become a better teacher for myself and my students.
Everyone has reasons why they should or should not attempt National Board Certification. For me, it was a perfect time in my life and my career to take that step. It made me reflect on all aspects of my teaching and learning process. I am incredibly grateful that I went on that journey and met my goal. What goals do you have to better yourself?
Sarah Kirchoff
Sarah Kirchoff is an instructional coach in Mesa Public Schools. She has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. She began her teaching career way back in August 1999, when everyone was worried about Y2K. She did not even have computers in her classroom at that time! Since then, she has taught first grade for four years, preschool for three years, second grade for two years and kindergarten for twelve years. She has worked for three different school districts during her teaching career. During this time, she has been able to identify which grade she found to be the most enjoyable. Her greatest teaching passion is for kindergarten. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. She was teacher of the year at her school in the 2019-2020 school year. She became a National Board Certified Teacher as an Early Childhood Generalist in December of 2020. She currently serves on numerous committees at her school including school site council, the instructional leadership team, and the culture and climate team. She is a mentor teacher at her school and has mentored numerous interns and student teaching candidates. When she is not busy with school commitments, she spends time with her family. She has a husband who is also a teacher, and four children. Two of which are students at NAU and two that are in high school. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading books and spending time with family, friends and her two dogs. Children need a teacher that is always advocating for them, socially, emotionally, and academically. Sarah wants every student she encounters to realize their potential and she is willing to help in any way she can. The impact early childhood educators have on students reaches far beyond their younger years. Sarah wants to leave a positive impact on her students so they can continue to have wonderful educational experiences beyond her classroom and school.
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Becoming a NBCT has changed my life. It was the best thing I could have done at the time, and like you, it was the perfect time in my life to take the next step. I would not be where I am now if I had waited even one year, and am so thankful that my teammate talked me into becoming a candidate right after we took pre-candidacy together. I initially wanted to wait a year, and if I had waited I would have had to work on components when I was pregnant or on maternity leave. I don’t think I could have done it then! My next step is to work on a Masters degree… just as soon as I figure out which specific degree I want. Thanks for sharing your NBCT journey!