Teachers Seeking Certification Form a 'Support Network'

130 LAUSD teachers find guidance and support among their peers

By DYANNE CANO
LAEP Learning Exchange

On a bright and early Saturday morning, 130 teachers from all grade levels started a rigorous ten-month process filled with portfolios, exercises, projects, videos, and reflections. These teachers are willing to commit themselves to the forthcoming months because they want to attain the prestigious certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

These teachers from the Los Angeles Unified School District are part of the Support Network, a teacher-directed network that provides teachers with assistance throughout the certification process.

The Support Network is a collaborative effort between teachers seeking National Board certification, LAEP, United Teachers Los Angeles, and LAUSD.

Since its creation in 1998, the Support Network has worked with 127 LAUSD teachers who have received National Board certification. Through workshops, facilitated small groups, moral support and other resources, this network provides teachers with assistance throughout the certification process.

Held at the UTLA headquarters on July 29, the seminar consisted of groups of four to six teachers with one facilitator heading each table. These groups will remain the same for the next ten months; the group members will support one another be assisted by their facilitator. The facilitators are National Board certified teachers and candidates.

A second group of about 200 teachers will begin their work toward National Board certification with the Support Network this fall.

Certified teacher Nancy Brown, who conducted the seminar, emphasized the importance of the groups. She said, "Your group is the main source for support throughout this process. Your facilitator is also the most valuable resource for you."

"The facilitators are not experts. But we do know what the experience is like," she said. "We understand how your emotions, your classes, your families, and your time management are affected and we are here to help you through this difficult process."

The candidates did an exercise to become familiar with their groups. They discussed why they were seeking National Board certification with their groups.

They also wrote down five challenges they thought they might face during the process and shared suggestions with fellow teachers. Afterward, they participated in interactive journal writing that allowed them to share ideas with their fellow candidates. The question asked what they would do if they did not have sufficient accomplishments for one of the required assessments.

"The quality of interaction is so high among the groups. The interest and enthusiasm is simply great," Brown said. "It is important to have team comradery."

The first of six professional development seminars, this meeting focused on an overview of what the steps of the process will be like. The subsequent seminars will stress specific parts of the application such as portfolios, videos, assessments, and analyses.

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