Achieving National Board Certification Together: Using a Support Group

1. Achieving National Board Certification Together: Using a Support Group Presented by: Lauren Ormsby, NBCT & Support Provider

2. Objectives • Expectations of Support Provider • Expectations of Candidate • What is a support provider • Support Group Timeline • District Support • Questions

3. Expectations of Support Provider • Intellectual, Technical, Logistical and Emotional Support • Make an investment of time, schedule meetings and remain committed to the schedule • Offer challenging ideas and serve as a “critical friend” • Help build self-confidence • Be familiar with NBPTS Standards • Understand the assessment process • Listen non-judgmentally; and ask probing questions (Adapted from the Washington Initiative for National Board Certification)

4. Expectations of Support Provider con’t • Offer friendship and support • Read entries and be able to assist any candidate in the group • Offer thoughtful and detailed feedback • Encourage analytical reflection • Provide resources • Help candidates get organized and set priorities • Maintain confidentiality • Respect individual writing and teaching styles (Adapted from the Washington Initiative for National Board Certification)

5. Expectations of Candidates • Make an investment of time, attend all meetings, and remain committed to the schedule • Accept the challenge ahead and be open to new and different perspectives on teaching and learning • Share fears, concerns and issues • Read study and internalize the NBPTS Standards • Read all entry directions. Know the portfolio and AC requirements • Listen non-judgmentally and ask follow up questions; reflect deeply • (Adapted from the Washington Initiative for National Board Certification)

6. Expectation of Candidates con’t • Accept friendship and support • Be prepared to share your entries and provide feedback on other’s entries • Engage in analytical reflection • Utilize resource made available to you • Get organized, including personal life and work schedule. Set priorities • Maintain confidentiality • Know that what is in your portfolio is yours and that all decisions are ultimately yours (Adapted from the Washington Initiative for National Board Certification)

7. What is Candidate Support? Adapted from Kathy Schwalbe, NBCT

8. Support Group Timeline August/September • Awareness Sessions • Recruitment • Support Group formation • Begin monthly support group meetings December/January • 2 day writing retreat March • One day “packing” retreat April/May • Study and take Assessment Portion • Wait for scores

9. District Support (Candidate “wish-list”) • Encouragement • Clerical Support • Access to high quality video camera with tripod • Eight high quality video tapes • Access to experienced camera person to tape videos • Access to editing equipment to make copies of video tapes • Release days • One directional (PMZ) microphone ($40-$60) • In-service credit for the hours involved attending support meetings • A waiver from direct supervision and annual goals for the school year. • Help editing and reflecting on the portfolio entries and videos • Recognition for the effort (Adapted from Johnson & Romano, 2001)

10. Questions???