November 19, 2010
I did it! Today was the day that the National Boards program released the information about passing--and this is what my sign in screen showed! I was more relieved than anything--I felt this happy rush of peace come over me--because I had finally accomplished it. It took me two years to do--and now I can rest--for at least 10 years.
What is National Boards you might ask? It was A LOT of work. More work than my master's degree. It involved four 10+ page written entries--which included #1--analyzing my student's writing and how I teach writing, #2--creating a classroom community (and a video tape of me teaching), #3--integrating math and science (and another video tape of me teaching), and #4--documentation of my teaching accomplishments. Then--on top of that--it included taking six areas of teaching and answering scenario questions and rational for why I would create the lessons I would.
All these things are taken and graded--to pass you need a score of 275. My first year through, I only had a score of 243. I was 32 points off. Typically on the first time through, only 30% of teachers pass. So...since it cost a good $2,500 (which I earned scholarships for) to do the first time around, I figured since I only had three years to accomplish it in, I might as well go for round two. My district mentors had great foresight and advised me to retake 3 of my lower scoring entries--which ended up being two entries and one essay question. Each retake was $350--which the district helped to cover two of.
I worked hard all of last fall from November until April to accomplish these three tasks. And my hard work finally paid off. I scored 283 points this time!
What does it mean to have this? The National Board Certification gives me mobility--this license is recognized in most of the states. In some states, an extra pay stipend is given to teachers who have earned this honor. In the state of Utah, it moves me from a level 2 teaching license to a level 3 (which only can be obtained by a Doctorate or Board Certification.).
It is quite an honor to have earned. And I am so thankful I don't have to do year three--or I may have cried on top of what I am doing.
So--now I can officially write the certified teacher initials at the end of my name: Amy Merritt, NBCT
