After thirty-one years of teaching I decided to challenge myself as a teacher and learner. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an organization that awards teachers their National Board Certification. I will spend next school year examining my teaching practices, creating a portfolio of videos and writing about my classroom teaching, and take an exam in the area of early adolescent English/language arts.
A group of us at school are going to take this on together. With the support of Gonzaga University we will be mentored through the process. I received very exciting news this week. Our state supports this program with thirty scholarships that are awarded each year. This year six hundred teachers from our state applied for the thirty scholarships. I just learned that I was one of those thirty teachers chosen. I am now not only excited to begin this process, but grinning from ear to ear!!!