National Board Certification Support Program
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Welcome to Gonzaga University, where we are committed to training quality preservice candidates and provide continuing professional development activities for experienced teachers. Because of this GU supports participating teachers who are seeking National Board Certification through all aspects of the certification process in order to ensure that National Board candidates successfully reach their professional goals. Gonzaga has successfully supported over 170 teacher candidates over the last two years. Contact Dr. Foster Walsh (walshf@gonzaga.edu | 509-313-3476), Nationally Certified Teacher (AYAELA-2001) and Program Director, or Linda Cavanaugh (ws-lcavanaugh@gonzaga.edu | 509-313-3857) with any questions about National Certification.
WHAT IS NATIONAL CERTIFICATION?
National Certification is a rigorous, year-long professional experience that is designed to recognize accomplished teachers. At the core of the National Board process are standards that describe the highest level of teaching in different disciplines and with students of different developmental levels. These standards represent a consensus among accomplished teachers and other educational experts about what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. NBPTS standards for all 25 certificate areas can be found at www.nbpts.org.
Teachers who have participated in National Board Certification have overwhelmingly stated it is the most powerful professional development experience of their careers. They say the experience changes them as professionals and that through the process they deepen their content knowledge and develop, master, and reflect on new approaches to working with their students.
HOW DO TEACHERS ACHIEVE NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION?
The assessment process for National Board Certification requires candidates to complete two major components: a portfolio of classroom practice including samples of student work and videotapes of teacher instruction, and an assessment of content knowledge administered at a computer-based testing center. It is estimated that the certification process will take the better part of a school year and involve a total of 200-400 hours of work outside the classroom.
GU PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Gonzaga University is committed to offering small, discussion rich cohort groups that meet regularly with trained National Board facilitators. We attempt to arrange our groups with great care to candidate proximity and certificate choice, servicing Eastern Washington with an emphasis on Spokane and vicinity. Our program components offer:
- a scope and sequence of cohort group activities that align with WEA's Jump Start
- approximately 40 hours of meeting time with candidates in small cohort groups that meet every 2-4 weeks from August through April (clock hours available)
- scheduled meetings set by cohort participants
- an opportunity to experience a ratio of 5 to 6 candidates for 1 nationally certified teacher facilitator, depending on location and facilitator availability
- an informal professional growth setting and connections with other candidate colleagues in both like and different certification areas
- multiple portfolio readings of candidate written work for maximum input and feedback
- an online support program available for candidates living outside our service area
- retake support for candidates who do not certify at no extra cost
GU NATIONAL BOARD TIMELINE
| January - June | Candidates apply for Washington's National Board Scholarship through OSPI and register for WEA's Jump Start program. |
| March - July | Candidates select Gonzaga University as their support provider by completing two tasks: 1) filling out and returning the Candidate Registration Form, and 2) making out a check for $650 to "Gonzaga University - NBPTS." |
| July - August | Candidates who have chosen GU as their support provider will be organized into cohort groups. Facilitators will contact candidates to arrange a cohort introduction/orientation to the process, set meeting times, provide an overview of expectations and begin the process of fulfilling National Board expectations. |
| September | Begin regular cohort meetings. Organize routines for creating and sharing portfolio work with cohort colleagues. Continue to refine or begin Entry 4: Documented Accomplishments. |
| October - December | Regular cohort meetings that clarify and emphasize National Board requirements. Begin classroom based entries 1, 2, & 3, review videotaping procedures, share in-process work and study the NB standards with other cohort colleagues. |
| January - March | Regular cohort meetings that focus on gathering and analyzing student evidence, writing classroom based entries and sharing rough draft work with cohort colleagues. Portfolios submitted to National Board on March 31st. |
| April - June | Candidates prepare for Assessment Center exercises that evaluate six areas of content knowledge related to their certificate area. |
| December | Candidates notified of certification status |
GU REGISTRATION AND PROGRAM FEES
Becoming part of GU's support services will require a completed registration form provided as a link and payment of $650.00. Please pay by personal check, made out to "Gonzaga University-NBPTS."
Cohort placement will not occur until you have submitted your completed registration form and payment of $650.00. Send your completed registration form and personal check payment to Dr. Foster Walsh at the following address:
Dr. Foster Walsh - NBPTS
Department of Teacher Education
502 E. Boone Ave.
Gonzaga University
99258-0025
WITHDRAWAL POLICIES
A full refund of $650.00 will be returned if written notification of withdrawal is submitted by October 1st. A partial refund of $325.00 will be granted if a written request is made by December 30th. No refunds granted after December 31st. Submit withdrawal requests to Dr. Foster Walsh by email at walshf@gonzaga.edu. Contact Dr. Walsh if you have any questions regarding withdrawal policies (509-313-3476).
National Board Certification Support Program
Dr. Foster Walsh - NBPTS, Program Director
walshf@gonzaga.edu
(509) 313-3476
