Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/274063
B Y B E V B R I C K E R , P A L M S P R I N G S T E A C H E R S A S S O C I AT I O N W H E N I F I R ST H E A R D of National Board Certification, I had been teaching 10 years and was a Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) support provider. I incorrectly assumed that I needed my own classroom filled with stu- dents in order to attempt this certification. I knew this process would be difficult, and I wanted a challenge. Very rarely do we get the chance to stop and deeply reflect on our teaching. That is what this process required I do, stop and reflect. In the early days of National Board Certification, teachers across the country reached out to other candidates to form online support groups. Yahoo Groups was a favorite back then in 1993, when the first National Board teachers were certified. Now those groups have become ses- sions led by a trained Candidate Support Provider, many of them trained through CTA-sanctioned events. Joining a com- munity of educators seeking a higher certification, working together to analyze Perspectives Why I chose National Board Certification our practice and supporting each other through the process was one of the many positive unintended consequences for me. The level of trust developed by critiquing each other's videos was powerful. This was not a mandated professional development I was required to attend, but rather a pro- cess I chose for myself. I was drawn to National Board Certifi- cation because it is teachers setting the bar high for teachers. It is one of the steps edu- cators are making in the process of taking back our profession from the politicians. National Board's five core propositions speak to what I believe and want for my chosen profession: 1. Teachers are committed to students and their learning. 2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students. Guest column 22 M A R C H 2 0 1 4 Credentials and Certificates § Multiple and Single Subject § Administrative Services § CTEL § Education Counseling/PPS § School Psychology/PPS § Special Education: Mild/Moderate § Reading and Language Arts § Child Life Specialist § New Learning Technology Bachelors § Liberal Studies § Child Development Doctoral § Organizational Leadership (Ed.D.) (La Verne Campus) Masters § Educational Leadership § School Counseling § School Psychology § Special Education § Reading § Special Emphasis § Child Life § Child Development (also online) WASC accredited, CCTC and NCATE approved. Programs offered at campuses throughout California. Contact for more information: College of Education and Organizational Leadership 1950 Third Street La Verne, CA 91750 laverne.edu 877-GO-TO-ULV infosession@laverne.edu "La Verne provided the tools to make me an effective educator." Natasha Burrell M.Ed. Special Emphasis/Credential 2010 M.S. 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