Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/939681
fter more than 20 years in the classroom and a few credentials and a master's degree along the way, Lodi third-grade teacher Lori Celiz was looking for a new challenge when she learned about National Board Certification (NBC). The rigorous multiyear process proved to be just th e th i n g t o re aw a ke n C e li z's li fe l o n g l o v e of th e teaching profession. National Board Certification benefits students and teachers By Dina Martin GETTING STARTED FIRST STEPS TO BECOMING BOARD CERTIFIED SUBMIT WORK SUBMIT PORTFOLIO ENTRIES AND TAKE ASSESSMENT SELECT & PURCHASE BECOMING A CANDIDATE Select Components Confirm Eligibility Bachelor's Degree? 3 Years Classroom Experience? Valid State License? Know Important Dates Registration Fee payment Portfolio submission Assessment window Understand the Components Review components for your certificate area Assessment Component 1: Content Knowledge Portfolio Entries Component 2: Differentiation in Instruction Component 3: Teaching Practice and Learning Environment Component 4: Effective and Reflective Practitioner Create Account and Register Create an account, complete applicant registration and pay $75 registration fee. Log in to your account and select components. Register for each component individually. Schedule and take assessment Take Component 1: Content Knowledge at a testing center. Receive Scores Scores will be reported on or before December 31. Complete Components Submit portfolio entries Submit electronically using the ePortfolio system. Pay Fees Pay for each component individually. Learn more by visiting boardcertifiedteachers.org 1 Per component fee Nonrefundable annual registration fee 4 Understand Process and Fees Read the entire Guide to National Board Certification for complete certification details and instructions. Choose your certificate area. 6 8 2 3 5 7 9 A In Pursuit of Excellence "It's a passion for me. is is totally different than any- thing I've ever done," Celiz says. It's also a heck of a lot of work, requiring an intensive process of standards-based performance assessment by NBC evaluators and peer review. Created by teachers for teachers, National Board Cer- tification is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education. It was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers, as well as generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. e rigor of certification has been compared to that of certification for the medical and legal professions. Celiz spent three years and some $2,400 to complete the certification process in literacy in 2016. She explains that "a lot of life" happened along the way, including par- ticipation in the Instructional Leadership Corps (CTA's partnership with Stanford University's Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education and the National Board Resource Center), earning her administration credential, and caring for an ill child. For certification, she was required to submit four 42 cta.org H E A D Teaching & Learning