I am considering trying for national board certification

[dsc]

Has anyone done that? If so, how hard was it? Would you do it again?

[madeline_con]

1. I've seen the process.

It seemed pretty clear cut, though tough competition. There is financial help, so you only have to pay half, if I'm not mistaken.

[dsc]

2. here we pay none

that part is sweet.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. Then do it

When I looked into it, it was around $3000.

[9119495]

3. Two excellent teachers that I am friends with

tried and were rejected. One mediocre one was accepted. I like many of the ideas in the system but much of it seems like a waste of time...with family and such. I don't know about you but I already spend a great deal of time at school and working on school things at home. I will say it seems like a better program for elem. teachers than secondary.

Where I live, NBC gets us more pay, but I prefer grad classes as the subjects are relevant to what I teach and our local U is great.

[dsc]

4. I have my masters

so if I am to get more bucks it will be via national boards.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. I never could figure out why it is so damned expensive

And you're right. It really is time consuming.

[Goblinmonger]

5. I'm thinking of it, too

One of the other teachers in my department did it last year and got his certificate. He is a really good teacher. It is a lot of hoop jumping. And a lot of writing.

What discipline? I'm in English so the writing doesn't scare me much. What state? I am in Wisconsin and if we get certified here, as long as we teach full time in Wisconsin, we get a $2500/year grant for 10 years.

Make sure you have some support. We have a regional agency here that offers classes and editing support by certified teachers and the teacher in my department said that helped greatly.

[dsc]

6. math and NC

NC is hugely committed to this and has the most national board certified teachers in the nation. We have a mentor in our school.

[9119495]

7. Yes. Take advantage of the mentor. I forgot that we have a

system like that in our district where NBC candidates meet with a facilitator provided by our association/union. She is awesome and her help greatly enhances one's chance of passing. Given that you have your masters (and perhaps not much interest in a PhD.) I'd say go for it. Post in the ed forum sometimes about how it is going.

Good luck.

[dsc]

8. unless I change positions (ie go into admin)

a phd doesn't help much. National boards gets me a 12% raise, while a Phd would give me around 8%, if that.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. I looked into it a couple years ago

and would have done it but it was way too expensive. My district said they would pay for it but then when it came time to write the check they decided I should pay for it up front and they would reimburse me after I completed the program. My state also never came through with a yearly bonus for national board certified teachers.

It was an intense but definitely do-able process. I am actually disappointed I didn't do it. And I am too close to retirement now to work on it.