Professional Teacher Standards Commission

1. Professional Teacher Standards Commission AATF – New Orleans – 2014 Adina Alexandru

2. The National Board Certification process is the best professional development experience National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

3. 2013 - updated NBPTS map

4. NBPTS yearly certification – French strand http://alexandrua.wikispaces.com/

5. Agenda • The Basics • Benefits for the AATF • Concrete product of the commission • Commission’s objective • Our Experiences • Q & A

6. NBPTS – French - wiki http://wloe-nbpts.wikispaces.com/

7.  Commission structure The goal of this commission is to bridge a solid connection between the (current or future) teachers of French interested in meeting professional state and national standards and the respective organizations that provide or facilitate such services. * We are always looking for new members! Let us know if you are interested in serving on this commission by sending an email to Adina Alexandru at grigore@comcast.net! * The structure of the Commission is informal and open to all AATF members. We need contributions form experienced as well as new teachers of French. Meetings are taking place virtually through the “GoToMeeting” platform.

8. Goals, objectives, projects, etc. that guide the commission's activities Current focus: More high profile PR Success and horror stories Not knowing anybody Currently NBPTS certified members working with members interested in acquiring NBPTS certification Where to get funding Online meetings List of suggested reading Get through the National Bulletin A list of teachers who are currently going through the process. * 

9. Goals, objectives, projects, etc. that guide the commission's activities –cont’d • A primary goal - maintain a website where we can post updated information regarding the national standards requirements for NBPTS certification with a focus on French. • This site currently provides links to the existing state-approved foreign language teacher standards at the state level they pertain to NBPTS. • We will also are in the process to provide exemplary lesson plans and activities that are in line with the NBPTS guidelines specifically designed for French. • The site currently has a discussion board where interested parties can post questions, comments and replies • Publications: quarterly reports in the AATF National Bulletin regarding updates or changes in the process of becoming nationally certified in French. National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

10. Future plans of the commission We need more French teachers seeking this type of certification. It is prestigious, it is rewarding, and it is giving you the status of a leader in the profession! Out of the six thousand teachers who acquired NBPTS certification in 2014 only 1% includes teachers of French!! Nationwide, there are 97,000 NBPTS teachers and they constitute the leading force in education. You should be part of it!

11. How can the work of this commission be improved? Keeping a current website that is useful for the AATF members interested in acquiring NBPTS certification. Poll the 11 Commission members for areas that they might be interested to keep updated on the website (ex. Recertification, monthly blogs, lesson plans, etc) Publishing quarterly updates in the National Bulletin The website and the documents generated by this commission is accessible on the AATF website so that visitors can gain knowledge about the process of attaining national certification. Recertification issues National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

12. Is the purpose of the commission adequately identified? Website functionality/survey, etc- current concerns of our membership. How do we address these needs? Mentoring Creating learning groups and people going through the process Discussion board Website survey

13. Additional comments For teachers who are interested in becoming NBPTS certified, this commission hopes to provide guidance in the process of certification following the guidelines for beginning and completing the certification process. * For teachers who have already obtained certification in French, this commission hopes to help in the recertification practices and create the space to share practices that can guide future applicants through the complexities of acquiring NBPTS status.

14. Are you eligible to become NBPTS certified in French? To pursue NBPTS certification, you must… • Hold a bachelor’s degree • Have completed three full years of teaching/counseling experience • Possess a valid state teaching/counseling license for that period of time, or, if teaching where a license is not required, have taught in schools recognized and approved to operate by the state

15. Lessons in Self-Reflection: The Portfolio Four Portfolio Entries: • Designing Instruction over Time (22 pgs.) • Building Communicative and Cultural Competence (14 pgs. plus video) • Engaging All Learners(13 pgs. plus video) • Documented Accomplishments (28 pgs.)

16. NBPTS writing styles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck0LhTy1YGg National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

18. Written Communication • You will be given a written prompt to which you will respond. • You will have 30 minutes to write a well-organized response, correctly using a variety of tenses and grammatical structures. • A good way to practice is to get retired AP prompts from AP Central and practice your timed writing.

19. Practice Writing… Describe the route you took to drive to Ardmore. Be very specific! Help someone else visualize your route in detail! * Explain why you took this route; talk about other options you had, and explain why this was your choice. * Now, write about what you’d do if you had to drive to Ardmore again. Explain why you’d make that decision.

20. The Home Stretch: The Exams You will take SIX exams: • Oral Proficiency • Interpreting Aural Texts • Interpreting Written Texts • Written Communication • Knowledge of Language Acquisition • Knowledge of How Language Works

21. It’s about the Five Core Propositions Accomplished teachers …

22. Knowledge of How Language Works • You will be given a text that represents student work. • In it, there will be embedded 20 errors. • You must correct each error and why it is an error, suggesting what caused the student to make the error.

23. Four Portfolio Entries Six Assessment Center Exercises The assessment Four Portfolio Entries • Demonstrate accomplished teaching • Include videos of large- and small-group classroom practice • Require student work samples • Document continuous learning, leadership, and collaboration Six Assessment Center Exercises • Demonstrate accomplished proficiency with subject matter • Are delivered at a computer-based testing center • Are timed, with open-response prompts

24. Portfolio Entries • #1 Designing Instruction Over Time • #2 Building Communicative and Cultural Competence • #3 Engaging All Learners • #4 Documented Accomplishments: Contributions To Student Learning

25. Example: #2 Building Communicative and Cultural Competence • A written Commentary of no more than 14 pages • A 15-minute videotape of you and your class during the period of instruction • All forms required for this entry

26. I. Knowledge of Students II. Fairness III. Knowledge of Language IV. Knowledge of Culture V. Knowledge of Language Acquisition VI. Multiple Paths to Learning VII. Articulation of Curriculum and Instruction VIII. Learning Environment IX. Instructional Resources X. Assessment XI. Reflection as Professional Growth XII. Schools, Families, and Communities XIII. Professional Community XIV. Advocacy for Education in World Languages Other than English Focusing on the standards

27. Timeline

28. The Process National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

29. For more information… You can contact me at: grigore@comcast.net Commission’s web site: http://alexandrua.wikispaces.com/ National Board for Professional Teaching Standards