Today’s blog is written for the teachers at my school, across the state and the country awaiting the National Board score release. There is nothing I can say that will make the wait any easier. I remember finding out early in the week that scores would be released on Friday, November 14th. I didn’t sleep at all that week. I kept tossing and turning, wondering what my score would be. I was out of bed early Friday morning, logging onto the nbpts.org website. I wanted to know before I left for school, but no scores. I drove to school wondering when they would be posted. When they were finally released, I sat at the computer in my classroom starring at the screen… All I had to do was press return and I would find out if I was a National Board Certified Teacher.
No
I sat for a minute to reflect. I already knew I was going to continue with the certification process. I wasn’t sad, more disappointed. Then I began to think about my teaching and my students. I thought about how I was a different teacher. I did not realize it at the time but my journey was just beginning. During the months that followed I was committed to my teaching and my students and resubmitted in the spring. And then the wait…
Now it was November 2004 and scores were released on Friday, November 12th. Even though I knew I did my best, I still laid awake each night, tossing and turning. I had no appetite. I was nervous and anxious. Again I sat at the computer starring at the screen… All I had to do was press return and I would find out if I was a National Board Certified Teacher.
Yes
I sat for a minute to reflect. I was excited and proud. Then I began to think about my teaching, my students, my colleagues and peers. I thought about how I was a different teacher. I knew my journey was just beginning.
Regardless of your scores, I invite you to reflect on your teaching and the impact on student learning. Where are you in your journey of accomplished teaching?
