Professional Teacher Standards Commission

AATF – New Orleans – 2014

Adina Alexandru

The National Board Certification process is the

best professional development experience

2National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

2013 - updated NBPTS map

NBPTS yearly certification – French strand

http://alexandrua.wikispaces.com/

Agenda

The Basics Benefits for the AATF Concrete product of the commission Commission’s objective

Our ExperiencesQ & A

NBPTS – French - wiki

http://wloe-nbpts.wikispaces.com/

 Commission structure

The goal of this commission is to bridge a solid connection between the (current or future) teachers of French interested in meeting professional state

and national standards and the respective organizations that provide or facilitate such services.

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We are always looking for new members! Let us know if you are interested in serving on this commission by sending an email to Adina Alexandru at

grigore@comcast.net!

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The structure of the Commission is informal and open to all AATF members. We need contributions form experienced as well as new teachers of French. Meetings are taking place virtually through the “GoToMeeting” platform.

Goals, objectives, projects, etc. that guide the commission's activities

Current focus:

• More high profile PR

• Success and horror stories• Not knowing anybody

• Currently NBPTS certified members working with members interested in acquiring NBPTS certification

• Where to get funding• Online meetings

• List of suggested reading• Get through the National Bulletin

• A list of teachers who are currently going through the process.

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Goals, objectives, projects, etc. that guide the commission's activities –cont’d

A primary goal - maintain a website where we can post updated information regarding the national standards requirements for NBPTS certification with a focus on French. This site currently provides links to the existing state-approved foreign

language teacher standards at the state level they pertain to NBPTS. We will also are in the process to provide exemplary lesson plans and

activities that are in line with the NBPTS guidelines specifically designed for French.

The site currently has a discussion board where interested parties can post questions, comments and replies

Publications: quarterly reports in the AATF National Bulletin regarding updates or changes in the process of becoming nationally certified in French.

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards 9

Future plans of the commission

• We need more French teachers seeking this type of certification.

• It is prestigious, • it is rewarding, and • it is giving you the status of a leader in the profession!

• Out of the six thousand teachers who acquired NBPTS certification in 2014 only 1% includes teachers of French!!

• Nationwide, there are 97,000 NBPTS teachers and they constitute the leading force in education. You should be part of it!

How can the work of this commission be improved?

Keeping a current website that is useful for the AATF members interested in acquiring NBPTS certification.

Poll the 11 Commission members for areas that they might be interested to keep updated on the website (ex. Recertification, monthly blogs, lesson plans, etc)

Publishing quarterly updates in the National Bulletin The website and the documents generated by this

commission is accessible on the AATF website so that visitors can gain knowledge about the process of attaining national certification.

Recertification issues

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Is the purpose of the commission adequately identified?

Website functionality/survey, etc - current concerns of our membership. How do we address these needs?

• Mentoring• Creating learning groups and people going through the

process• Discussion board• Website survey

Additional comments 

For teachers who are interested in becoming NBPTS certified, this commission hopes to provide guidance in the process of

certification following the guidelines for beginning and completing the certification process.

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For teachers who have already obtained certification in French, this commission hopes to help in the recertification practices and

create the space to share practices that can guide future applicants through the complexities of acquiring NBPTS status.

 

Are you eligible to become NBPTS certified in French?

To pursue NBPTS certification, you must…

Hold a bachelor’s degree

Have completed three full years of teaching/counseling experience

Possess a valid state teaching/counseling license for that period of time, or, if teaching where a license is not required, have taught in schools recognized and approved to operate by the state

Lessons in Self-Reflection: The Portfolio

Four Portfolio Entries:

1. Designing Instruction over Time (22 pgs.)2. Building Communicative and Cultural Competence (14 pgs.

plus video)3. Engaging All Learners(13 pgs. plus video)4. Documented Accomplishments (28 pgs.)

NBPTS writing styles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck0LhTy1YGg

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards 16

Written Communication

You will be given a written prompt to which you will respond.

You will have 30 minutes to write a well-organized response, correctly using a variety of tenses and grammatical structures.

A good way to practice is to get retired AP prompts from AP Central and practice your timed writing.

Practice Writing…

Describe the route you took to drive to Ardmore. Be very specific! Help someone

else visualize your route in detail!

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Explain why you took this route; talk about other options you had, and explain why this

was your choice.

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Now, write about what you’d do if you had to drive to Ardmore again. Explain why you’d

make that decision.

The Home Stretch: The Exams

You will take SIX exams:

Oral Proficiency Interpreting Aural Texts Interpreting Written Texts Written Communication Knowledge of Language Acquisition Knowledge of How Language Works

It’s about the Five Core

Propositions Are committed to students and their learning.

Know the subjects they

teach and how to teach them to students.

Are responsible for managing

and monitoring student learning.

Think systematically

about their practice and learn from

experience.

Are members of learning

communities.

Accomplished teachers …

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Knowledge of How Language Works

You will be given a text that represents student work.

In it, there will be embedded 20 errors.

You must correct each error and why it is an error, suggesting what caused the student to make the error.

Four Portfolio Entries

Demonstrate accomplished teaching

Include videos of large- and small-group classroom practice

Require student work samples

Document continuous learning, leadership, and collaboration

Six Assessment Center Exercises

Demonstrate accomplished proficiency with subject matter

Are delivered at a computer-based testing center

Are timed, with open-response prompts

Six Assessment Center Exercises

Four Portfolio Entries

The assessment

Portfolio Entries

#1 Designing Instruction Over Time#2 Building Communicative and

Cultural Competence#3 Engaging All Learners#4 Documented Accomplishments:

Contributions To Student Learning

Example: #2 Building Communicative and Cultural Competence

A written Commentary of no more than 14 pages

A 15-minute videotape of you and your class during the period of instruction

All forms required for this entry

Focusing on the standards

• I. Knowledge of Students• II. Fairness• III. Knowledge of Language• IV. Knowledge of Culture• V. Knowledge of Language Acquisition• VI. Multiple Paths to Learning• VII. Articulation of Curriculum and Instruction

• VIII. Learning Environment• IX. Instructional Resources• X. Assessment• XI. Reflection as Professional Growth• XII. Schools, Families, and Communities• XIII. Professional Community• XIV. Advocacy for Education in World Languages Other than

English

Timeline• Cycle begins--application window

opensJanuary

(Month 1)

• Application window closesDecember 31

(Month 12)

• Eligibility Verification forms and full payment due to NBPTS

January 31

(Month 13)

• Portfolio must be postmarkedMarch 31

(Month 15)

• Assessment Center Exercises window open January - June(Months 13-18)

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The Process

• $65 application fee

• Initial $500 payment

• Start portfolio

apply

• Eligibility forms

• Remaining $2000 balance

submit• Schedule

your assessment center appointment make an

appointment

• Portfolio Entries – postmark by March 31

• Assessment Center Exercises – by June 15

submit

planning collecting documenting analyzing reflecting

28National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

For more information…

You can contact me at: grigore@comcast.net

Commission’s web site: http://alexandrua.wikispaces.com/

29National Board for Professional Teaching Standards