I first saw the fireworks in December 2018. I added those four little letters to my email signature, and then my life began to change. I was a National Board Certified Teacher! Immediately after becoming an NBCT, I got a
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To Celebrate or Not to Celebrate
When did we stop celebrating individual accomplishments at our school sites? Just this past weekend, I found out I had maintained my status as an NBCT and was very excited as last year had personally been tumultuous. I sent a
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Finding my Voice: Advocating for National Board Certification, Part 1
I have been trying to find my voice my entire life. Going back to my childhood, I was constantly told that I was too quiet, that I need to speak up or louder; I listened to excuses for my shyness
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Celebrate!
It happened. We waited for two years. We rescheduled, waited, and watched. Then we did that some more. A few months turned into a year, then two years. Then it finally happened. We celebrated. One of my favorite events is
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Core Proposition 3, Part 1
Core Proposition 3: Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning. I know what you’re thinking: that’s what the tests do! Yes, this is mandated and micromanaged if you teach a tested subject. I want to challenge you to
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Just Do It: Breaking Through Writers Block When Writing for Your National Board Certification
I am stuck. I have read and reread all of the prompts so many times that I do not even know what they mean anymore. If you have worked on becoming a National Board Certified Teacher before, or are currently
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My NBCT Journey
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
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Not Yet Achieved
‘Twas the night before score release And all through the house Teachers were waiting For their score to be announced! The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards released the scores of National Board candidates this past weekend. Teachers anxiously waited
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Fingers Crossed
At this moment, National Board Candidates from around the country are counting down the hours until scores are released this week and they will finally know if their hard work paid off. That moment, I remember, is stressful and exciting
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Below the Surface
Core Proposition 2: Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students.* This statement seems easy enough to interpret. Of course, a teacher has to know their subject area to teach it to someone else.
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