Achieving National Board Achieving National Board Certification Together: Certification Together: Using a Support GroupUsing a Support Group

Presented by: Lauren Ormsby, NBCT & Support ProviderPresented by: Lauren Ormsby, NBCT & Support Provider

ObjectivesObjectives

Expectations of Support ProviderExpectations of Support ProviderExpectations of CandidateExpectations of CandidateWhat is a support provider What is a support provider Support Group TimelineSupport Group TimelineDistrict SupportDistrict SupportQuestionsQuestions

Expectations of Support Expectations of Support ProviderProvider

Intellectual, Technical, Logistical and Intellectual, Technical, Logistical and Emotional SupportEmotional Support

Make an investment of time, schedule Make an investment of time, schedule meetings and remain committed to the meetings and remain committed to the scheduleschedule

Offer challenging ideas and serve as a Offer challenging ideas and serve as a “critical friend”“critical friend”

Help build self-confidenceHelp build self-confidence Be familiar with NBPTS StandardsBe familiar with NBPTS Standards Understand the assessment processUnderstand the assessment process Listen non-judgmentally; and ask probing Listen non-judgmentally; and ask probing

questionsquestions(Adapted from the Washington Initiative for National Board Certification)(Adapted from the Washington Initiative for National Board Certification)

Expectations of Support Provider Expectations of Support Provider con’t con’t

Offer friendship and supportOffer friendship and support Read entries and be able to assist any Read entries and be able to assist any

candidate in the groupcandidate in the group Offer thoughtful and detailed feedbackOffer thoughtful and detailed feedback Encourage analytical reflectionEncourage analytical reflection Provide resourcesProvide resources Help candidates get organized and set Help candidates get organized and set

prioritiespriorities Maintain confidentialityMaintain confidentiality Respect individual writing and teaching stylesRespect individual writing and teaching styles(Adapted from the Washington Initiative for National Board Certification)(Adapted from the Washington Initiative for National Board Certification)

Expectations of CandidatesExpectations of Candidates

Make an investment of time, attend all meetings, Make an investment of time, attend all meetings, and remain committed to the scheduleand remain committed to the schedule

Accept the challenge ahead and be open to new Accept the challenge ahead and be open to new and different perspectives on teaching and and different perspectives on teaching and learninglearning

Share fears, concerns and issuesShare fears, concerns and issues Read study and internalize the NBPTS StandardsRead study and internalize the NBPTS Standards Read all entry directions. Know the portfolio and Read all entry directions. Know the portfolio and

AC requirementsAC requirements Listen non-judgmentally and ask follow up Listen non-judgmentally and ask follow up

questions; reflect deeplyquestions; reflect deeply (Adapted from the Washington Initiative for National Board Certification)(Adapted from the Washington Initiative for National Board Certification)

Expectation of Candidates Expectation of Candidates con’tcon’t

Accept friendship and supportAccept friendship and support Be prepared to share your entries and Be prepared to share your entries and

provide feedback on other’s entriesprovide feedback on other’s entries Engage in analytical reflectionEngage in analytical reflection Utilize resource made available to youUtilize resource made available to you Get organized, including personal life and Get organized, including personal life and

work schedule. Set prioritieswork schedule. Set priorities Maintain confidentialityMaintain confidentiality Know that what is in your portfolio is yours Know that what is in your portfolio is yours

and that all decisions are ultimately yoursand that all decisions are ultimately yours(Adapted from the Washington Initiative for National Board Certification)(Adapted from the Washington Initiative for National Board Certification)

What is Candidate Support?What is Candidate Support?Candidate support is… Candidate Support is not…

Fostering long-term, evolving professional development

Providing one shot, “one size fits all” staff development

Using NBCTs as facilitators and advocates Referring to NBCT as mentors rather than facilitators

Focusing on student achievement above all else Promoting advanced teacher salary or an “elite status”

Offering non-judgmental, honest and constructive feedback

Creating divisive, competitive, or otherwise unprofessional culture

Helping candidates improve their writing through collaboration

“Correcting” candidates work or making decisions for them

Promoting ethical treatment of teachers and use of materials

Causing candidates to become obsessive over minutia

Improving teacher practice and professional growth

Encouraging shortcuts or unprofessional practices

Maintaining focus on what matters most Reinforcing a pass/fail mentality

Adapted from Kathy Schwalbe, NBCT

Support Group TimelineSupport Group Timeline

August/SeptemberAugust/September Awareness SessionsAwareness Sessions RecruitmentRecruitment Support Group formationSupport Group formation Begin monthly support group meetingsBegin monthly support group meetingsDecember/JanuaryDecember/January 2 day writing retreat2 day writing retreatMarchMarch One day “packing” retreatOne day “packing” retreatApril/MayApril/May Study and take Assessment PortionStudy and take Assessment Portion Wait for scoresWait for scores

District Support (Candidate “wish-District Support (Candidate “wish-list”)list”)

Encouragement Encouragement Clerical SupportClerical Support Access to high quality video camera with tripodAccess to high quality video camera with tripod Eight high quality video tapesEight high quality video tapes Access to experienced camera person to tape videosAccess to experienced camera person to tape videos Access to editing equipment to make copies of video tapesAccess to editing equipment to make copies of video tapes Release daysRelease days One directional (PMZ) microphone ($40-$60)One directional (PMZ) microphone ($40-$60) In-service credit for the hours involved attending support meetingsIn-service credit for the hours involved attending support meetings A waiver from direct supervision and annual goals for the school A waiver from direct supervision and annual goals for the school

year.year. Help editing and reflecting on the portfolio entries and videosHelp editing and reflecting on the portfolio entries and videos Recognition for the effortRecognition for the effort

(Adapted from Johnson & Romano, 2001)(Adapted from Johnson & Romano, 2001)

Questions???Questions???