By Ian Smay
The Times 

Dayton Teachers Seek National Certification

Around a dozen local educators strive to meet "gold standard" for teachers

 

Courtesy Image

Jeff McCann

DAYTON – Teachers from the Dayton School District are in the process of gaining the National Board Certification. "It's the gold standard for educators" said Dayton Middle School English teacher Jeff McCann.

"It is the national certification, and it is seen as the most rigorous and prestigious certification for teachers," he said. "You can get certifications for colleges, and even get assessed at the local and state levels, but the National Board is a way of proving that you know your craft well."

The so-called "gold standard" is a lengthy process and one that is not easy, according to McCann. Only around 112,000 of the estimated 3.1 million teachers nationwide hold the certification. It was started in 1987 after a report four years prior that found that a "rising tide in mediocrity" had taken over the teaching profession in America, according to the Board's website.

"There's a total of 12 or so of us that are doing the process," explained McCann. "Most of us started in January, and it takes a minimum of one year to complete, while it takes most people two to three years on average.

"The criteria for certification is made up of four components," McCann explained. "The first is a knowledge test, which is basically a computer-based assessment. We have to travel to a Pearson testing center, which the closest to us here are in Spokane or Yakima. It's a selective response test made up of multiple choice questions. It also has about three extended constructed response questions. They give you a scenario or a situation involving a student, and explain the process of helping the student or changing the learning environment to help them."

The second component is a video submission of the teacher during instruction, which is reviewed by the members of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the full name of the organization in charge of the certification. This is supplemented by the student work component, which is required to show student growth over the course of a year.

The final component is based around showing that one is a "reflective professional," and is "a 14-20 page reflection on what you did throughout the year. It has to show how you helped teach and provided a good learning environment for all students, not just the best and the brightest," McCann said.

The final three parts are all made to show how a teacher provides and constructs a positive learning environment suited to the needs of their class.

If a teacher does not meet the requirements during their first submission, they can resubmit their materials, but the process will add another year or two. McCann said that around half of all teachers that apply get accepted and certified in their first attempt.

Dayton School District already plays host to a board certified teacher in Doug Yenney, who teaches High School Sciences.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024

Rendered 03/20/2024 16:27