National Board Certification Handbook, The: Support and Stories from Teachers and Candidates

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a National Board Certified Teacher? Are you already seeking certification? Here is a practical handbook that will answer many of your questions. Beginning with the decision to seek National Board Certification, continuing through the portfolio and assessment processes, and ending with what to do if you don't successfully complete all of the requirements for certification, this book will support and guide you. Each chapter is written by a teacher or teacher educator who has been through the preparation process.

Inside you will find:

• what National Board Certification is;
• what is expected of teachers seeking certification;
• how much time it takes;
• what the requirements are;
• what it means to be a National Board Certified Teacher.

More than a general description of the background and framework of seeking National Board Certification, The National Board Certification Handbook guides you through every aspect of preparing for "life during the board certification process." Contributors share examples of the student work they selected for their own portfolios, helping readers make similar decisions. Vocabulary lists, web sites, evaluation forms for video and written commentaries are also included. Interwoven throughout the book are the teachers' emotions that accompanied the process. They talk openly about their feelings so that other teachers have a sense of the emotional roller coaster that often accompanies working through this demanding certification process. From a survey to help you determine if now is the right time to seek certification, to a reminder to take vitamins, exercise, eat and sleep, this comprehensive tool can make your board certification process a little easier.

Achieving National Board Certification is a major accomplishment. It recognizes exemplary teaching that is centered on students, curriculum and the community. National Board Certified Teachers are able to demonstrate that they can teach to high standards. As a result, their students have higher achievement. If you aspire to become National Board certified or if you help teachers who are preparing for certification, this handy guide is the just-right book for you.