HHH’s National Board Certified Teachers were asked to share their certification experience and the impact the experience had in their classrooms. As there are several HHH members who are currently going through the certification process themselves or who are contemplating participating in the future, teachers also shared some advice for those members.
The HHHTA is proud to share these stories with the HHH Community!
1. What prompted you to go through the process to become a NBCT?
I decided to go through the National Board process because I wanted to refine my practice. I had been teaching for 8 years and had a firm understanding of my curriculum and the developmental levels of primary age children. I felt that since I had acquired this knowledge and felt comfortable with my teaching ability, it was time to hold myself to a higher set of standards and move forward as an educator.
2. How did the certification process impact your classroom (ie: increase in parental involvement, improved teaching techniques, becoming more reflective)?
The certification process impacted my classroom by showing me the importance of creating a student-centered environment. Regardless of how strong I thought my instruction was or how creative a lesson might have been, it meant nothing if my students weren't making emotional connections to the material and learning from it. I started reflecting more on my instructional delivery and on the different ways I could assess my students' understanding. I consider my students' ability levels, strengths and interests more than ever when planning and I think this had made a big difference in my instruction and more importantly in my students' learning and retention. I also communicate regularly with my students' families in regards to what their children are learning in class. I appreciate the impact that three-way communication among teacher, student and family has on student success.
3. If you could give one piece of advice to someone going through the certification process, what would it be?
If I could give one piece of advice regarding the pursuit of National Board Certification, it would be for the teacher to be open to revision. I revised my entries countless times. In the beginning of the process, I had difficulty expressing my ideas and at times, felt defeated because I couldn't organize my thoughts. As I went through the process, I realized my issue was less about my writing and more about my instruction. Once I became more reflective and adjusted my instruction to make it more meaningful for my students, the writing flowed. The process made me a better teacher.