Consortium

AUGUST 2022 | ISSUE 1 CONSORTIUM WHERE ACCOMPLISHED TEACHING IS THE NORM NBCT SPOTLIGHT SAVVY STRATEGIES FOR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH WASHINGTON POST- A SUCCESSFUL PG TEACHER OF THE YEAR SCHOOL START! THOMAS PIERRE, NBCT CONTRIBUTORS SHARE NBCT SPEAK! STRATEGIES FOR A PRODUCTIVE YEAR NBCT SHARE THE \"WHY\" FOR PURSUING NBC CONSORTIUM.MAG

consortium TABLE 03 Inaugural edition issue 1 volume 1 04 OF CONTENTS 06 01 DEPARTMENTS 05 09 EDITORS NOTES 10 11 NBCTS SPEAK 13 SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW 16 17 02 COLUMN 23 HOW TO BEGIN THE NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION PROCESS HOW MY PRACTICE CONNECTS TO THE FIVE CORE PROPOSITIONS WHY DID I BECOME A NBCT? NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION: A PATHWAY TO LEADERSHIP WITH OUR POWERS UNITED: THE BENEFITS OF PLCS FOR INITIAL NBCT CERTIFICATION CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT IN THE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM FIVE TIPS FOR WRITING A GREAT ARTICLE OR BLOG POST HOW LEADERS CAN SUPPORT TEACHERS NBC CERTIFICATION PROCESS

consortium 03 STRATEGIES FOR 20 Inaugural edition issue 1 volume 1 SUCCESS 21 FIVE TIPS TO START THE 25 SCHOOL YEAR 26 TOP TEN TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR TECHNOLOGY TIPS FIVE TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR 04 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS BEHIND THE SCENES 29

IN OUR INAUGURAL ISSUE, WE FOLLOW THE JOURNEYS OF OUR NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS (NBCTS) AS THEY SHARE THE WHY FOR PURSUING NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION (NBC), HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION JOURNEY, AND SHARE TIPS FOR BEGINNING THE SCHOOL YEAR. WE WILL SPOTLIGHT MR. THOMAS PIERRE, NBCT, AND LEARN ABOUT ESTABLISHING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC. Dr. Rainya P. Miller Editorial Director DR. RAINYA P. MILLER, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR OF CONSORTIUM MAGAZINE, AND MANAGING PARTNER OF THE CONSORTIUM OF ACCOMPLISHED EDUCATORS LLC IS AN NBCT WHO IS EXCITED ABOUT BUILDING THE PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY OF ALL EDUCATORS. Senetria Blocker Editor-in-Chief SENETRIA BLOCKER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF CONSORTIUM MAGAZINE AND CEO OF SENETRIA BLOCKER CONSULTING AND COACHING, IS AN NBCT WHO IS EXCITED ABOUT ENCOURAGING ALL EDUCATORS TO BECOME NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS.

Why Did You Pursue National Board Certification? KENDRA GATTO, NBCT I WANTED TO BE THE BEST OF THE BEST! PASSING NATIONAL BOARDS IS EQUIVALENT TO PASSING THE BAR EXAM FOR A LAWYER! I HAVE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT TEACHING AND MYSELF BY GOING THROUGH THIS JOURNEY! I HAVE ALSO DEVELOPED GREAT FRIENDSHIPS AMONG OUR NBCT COMMUNITY! MBULWA MUSYOKI, NBCT I FOUND MYSELF COMPLACENT AND NEEDED A CHALLENGE. PURSUING NATIONAL BOARD GAVE ME A PLATFORM TO REFRESH MY PRACTICE AND PUT LEARNING BACK IN THE HANDS OF THE STUDENTS. RHONDA OWENS, NBCT I HAD BEEN OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL WORK FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WHEN I CAME BACK SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING TEACHERS IN MY BUILDING WERE TALKING ABOUT GOING THROUGH THE NATIONAL BOARDS PROCESS. I WANTED TO BE LIKE THEM AND THOUGHT THAT NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION WOULD BE A GREAT WAY TO START. PAGE | 04

HOW TO BEGIN THE NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION PROCESS HOWEVER THE DATE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. IF ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED TO PAY FOR THE SENETRIA BLOCKER, NBCT CERTIFICATION PROCESS, SEARCH FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. MANY SCHOOL SYSTEMS, WHEN GETTING STARTED WITH NATIONAL BOARD UNIONS, AND COMPANIES PAY FOR ALL OR PART CERTIFICATION, IT’S ESSENTIAL TO SELECT THE OF THE PROCESS. BEST CERTIFICATION AREA FOR YOU FROM THE 27 AVAILABLE. THE CONTENT AREA YOU TEACH AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO READ YOUR CERTIFICATION- THE AGE OF YOUR STUDENTS ARE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS AND STANDARDS CONSIDERATIONS WHEN DECIDING ON AN AREA OF BEFORE BEGINNING WRITING. THE QUESTION CERTIFICATION. TO REVIEW THE CERTIFICATION PROMPTS THAT YOU RESPOND TO IN YOUR AREAS, READ CHOOSING THE RIGHT WRITTEN COMMENTARY ARE ALL THERE—NO CERTIFICATION AREA. I RECOMMEND SELECTING A NEED TO GUESS. THERE IS ALSO A SCORING CERTIFICATION AREA BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS. GUIDE. A FOUR IS THE HIGHEST SCORE YOU CAN EARN FOR EACH COMPONENT. ALL COMPONENTS AFTER SELECTING A CERTIFICATION AREA, READ MUST SCORE HIGHER THAN 1.75; THE FLOOR OVER THE REQUIREMENTS AND DECIDE WHICH SCORE. ANY COMPONENT THAT RECEIVES A COMPONENTS YOU WANT TO WORK ON FIRST. SCORE OF LESS THAN 1.75 MUST BE REDONE. A CANDIDATES HAVE THREE YEARS TO SUBMIT ALL TOTAL WEIGHTED SCORE, ON ALL COMPONENTS FOUR COMPONENTS. FOR EXAMPLE, COMPONENTS COMBINED, OF 110 OR HIGHER IS NEEDED TO 1 AND 3 COULD BE COMPLETED THE FIRST YEAR ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION. AND COMPONENTS 2 AND 4 THE SECOND YEAR. CANDIDATES CAN ALSO DECIDE TO COMPLETE ALL HAVING A MENTOR IS KEY TO SUCCESS IN THIS FOUR COMPONENTS IN ONE YEAR. THE TIME PROCESS. IF YOUR SCHOOL SYSTEM DOES NOT FRAME AND WHICH COMPONENTS TO COMPLETE IS OFFER MENTORING SUPPORT CHECK AN INDIVIDUAL DECISION. ONCE THE HTTPS://WWW.NBPTS.ORG/. THE NATIONAL COMPONENTS ARE SUBMITTED, CANDIDATES HAVE BOARD HAS LOTS OF VIDEOS TO WALK YOU TWO YEARS TO REDO COMPONENTS FOR A HIGHER THROUGH THE PROCESS. THEY ALSO OFFER SOME SCORE, IF NEEDED. MENTORING SUPPORT. THE NATIONAL BOARD PROCESS ALIGNS WITH THE FINALLY, MAKE A PLAN AND WRITE IT DOWN. SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR, FROM AUGUST-MAY OR BECOMING A NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED JUNE (THE NATIONAL BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHER REQUIRES COMMITMENT AND TEACHING STANDARDS (NBPTS) SETS THE DATE). PLANNING. MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING ME, HAVE THE DUE DATE FOR COMPONENTS 2 - 4 IS ON THE TO WRITE, REWRITE, EDIT AND UPDATE. MAKING (NBPTS) WEBSITE. COMPONENT 1, THE A PLAN THAT INCLUDES ALL CRITICAL DATES ASSESSMENT CENTER COMPONENT, CAN ONLY BE (COMPLETING FORMS, VIDEOTAPING, DRAFT ONE COMPLETED WHEN THE ASSESSMENT CENTER IS COMPLETE, SUBMISSION DATE, ETC.) AND OPEN, USUALLY FROM APRIL - JUNE. CANDIDATES LEAVES SPACE TO REWRITE WILL HELP YOU STAY CAN SELECT THE TESTING LOCATION, AND DATE ON TRACK AND REDUCE STRESS DURING THE THAT BEST FITS THEIR SCHEDULE WITHIN THE PROCESS. TESTING WINDOW. OFTEN TESTING CENTER DATES FILL UP FAST SO SCHEDULING A TESTING DATE IN FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NATIONAL APRIL OR AS SOON AS THE TESTING SITE OPENS BOARD, MENTORING, AND TEACHING, CHECK OUT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. ALL IMPORTANT DATES MY BLOG HTTPS://WWW.SENETRIABLOCKER.COM/. ARE ON THE WEBSITE. .  ONCE A CERTIFICATION AREA HAS BEEN SELECTED, SET UP A NATIONAL BOARD ACCOUNT PAGE | 05 ON HTTPS://WWW.NBPTS.ORG/. THERE IS A REQUIRED $75.00 YEARLY REGISTRATION FEE. THE PAYMENT BALANCE IS USUALLY DUE IN JANUARY;

SPOTLIGHT THOMAS PIERRE, NBCT IN OUR INAUGURAL ISSUE, WE SPOTLIGHT THE ACCOMPLISHED EDUCATOR MR. THOMAS PIERRE. OUR 2022 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY’S WASHINGTON POST TEACHER OF THE YEAR, MR. PIERRE IS A VOCAL MUSIC TEACHER AT THOMAS J. PULLEN PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL, SHARING HIS LOVE OF MUSIC AND EDUCATION WITH YOUNG MINDS FOR OVER 15 YEARS. WRITTEN BY TALITHA SIMEONA- PAGE | 06 STEWART, NBCT

Thomas Pierre, Nbct, Answers Questions About His Journey THOMAS’ LOVE FOR THE GROWTH OF OTHERS WHAT’S NEXT FOR THIS TEACHER SHINED THROUGH DURING OUR INTERVIEW. LEADER WHO ENJOYS WORKING WITH EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A DIFFICULT PERIOD OTHER EDUCATORS TO ASSIST WITH BECAUSE OF THE RECENT PASSING OF HIS THEIR GROWTH IN THE PROFESSION. MOTHER, HE READILY TOOK THE TIME TO SIT THOMAS IS NOT “HIDING HIS EXPERTISE FOR THIS INTERVIEW. THOMAS SHARED HIS UNDER A BUSHEL,” BUT HE IS SHARING JOURNEY, WHICH BEGAN AT A CHARTER HIS WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE WITH SCHOOL IN DC. THOMAS KNEW PARTICIPATING TEACHERS HE MENTORS AS A NATIONAL IN A PROFESSOR'S ROUNDTABLE TO DISCUSS CLINICIAN AND PRESENTING AT COLLEGIAL IDEAS WITH MASTER TEACHERS DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL FROM AROUND THE DISTRICT WOULD ASSIST CONFERENCES WHILE HOLDING A MUSIC WITH HIS EDUCATIONAL GROWTH. THIS IS TEACHER POSITION AT THOMAS J. WHERE THOMAS HEARD ABOUT THE NATIONAL PULLEN. BOARD PROCESS, IN THE WORDS OF MR. THOMAS’ LIFELONG LOVE OF EDUCATION PIERRE, HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GREAT AND HELPING OTHERS TO GROW AND WAY TO “REACH THE HIGHEST ECHELON OF LEARN IS EVIDENT IN HIS CONTINUED TEACHING EXCELLENCE.” WORK TO DECREASE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP OF OUR STUDENTS. AS HE WITH HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION, CONTINUES TO POUR INTO OTHERS, THE THOMAS STATES, “I WAS JUST HUNGRY AND PEOPLE HE TOUCHES WILL BE THIRSTY TO BECOME A NATIONAL BOARD REWARDED BY HIS COMMITMENT TO CERTIFIED TEACHER” AND HE WENT THROUGH EXCELLENCE. THIS RIGOROUS PROCESS DURING HIS TENURE IN THE DISTRICT. HOWEVER, PRINCE GEORGE’S PAGE | 07 COUNTY BENEFITTED FROM THOMAS’ NEWLY ACHIEVED NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION IN MUSIC. HE RECEIVED HIS PASSING SCORES THE YEAR HE ARRIVED. WITH A CERTIFICATION IN HAND, THIS ACCOMPLISHED TEACHER HAS DEMONSTRATED THE FIVE CORE PROPOSITIONS WITH STUDENTS AND OTHER EDUCATORS. HOW DID AN ACCOMPLISHED EDUCATOR LIKE MR. PIERRE COME TO BE THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY WASHINGTON POST TEACHER OF THE YEAR? WELL, HE HEARD OF THE AWARD SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE HIS NOMINATION AND ALWAYS WISHED SOMEONE WOULD NOMINATE HIM. DREAMS DO COME TRUE BECAUSE THIS YEAR, SOMEONE NOMINATED HIM AND HE BECAME THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY WASHINGTON POST TEACHER OF THE YEAR; IT MADE HIM ELIGIBLE FOR THE WASHINGTON POST TEACHER OF THE YEAR. WHEN THE ANNOUNCEMENT WENT OUT, HE WAS NOT THE OVERALL WINNER; BUT THOMAS WAS STILL HONORED TO REPRESENT PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY.

\"WE DO NOT LEARN FROM EXPERIENC: WE LEARN FROM REFLECTING ON EXPERIENCE .\" -JOHN DEWEY

How My Practice Connects to The Five Core Propositions CORE PROP 1: BEING THE ONLY ESOL TEACHER IN HOW MY PRACTICE CONNECTS WITH CORE OUR BUILDING, I AM VERY FORTUNATE BECAUSE I'M PROPOSITION FOUR - DURING ONE OF MY CLASSES, ABLE TO LOOP TO THE NEXT GRADE WITH MY ESOL A STUDENT ASKED ME A QUESTION I COULD NOT STUDENTS. THIS ALLOWS ME TO KNOW MY INITIALLY ANSWER. HE ASKED ABOUT LATINOS STUDENTS NOT JUST AS LEARNERS, BUT AS DURING THE UNITED STATES CIVIL RIGHTS PERSONS, AS SIBLINGS, AS DAUGHTERS AND SONS. MOVEMENT. IN ESSENCE, HE WANTED TO KNOW IT IS ALSO INTERESTING TO SEE HOW WHERE THE LATINOS WERE SITUATED DURING THE KINDERGARTENERS BLOSSOM INTO 5TH GRADERS CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. THE TEXT WE WERE AND HOW THEIR VALUES, MOTIVATION, INTERESTS, READING ONLY FOCUSED ON AFRICAN -AMERICAN AND PERSONALITIES EVOLVE. I HAVE TIME TO BUILD ACTIVISM AND THE AFRICAN- AMERICANS' PLIGHT THAT TRUST AND HELP THEM REALIZE THAT OUR FOR EQUALITY AND JUSTICE. AT THAT MOMENT, I CLASS IS A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. IT IS TRULY REALIZED THAT I NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT HEARTWARMING WHEN FORMER STUDENTS SEND ME STUDENTS COULD MAKE A CULTURAL CONNECTION A NOTE OR A CARD! LESSON PLANNING INVOLVES TO TOPICS. I NEEDED TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE HOW TO BEST ENGAGE MY STUDENTS, GIVEN WHERE FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE AND EQUAL RIGHTS THEY ARE AND WHO THEY ARE. CORE PROP 2: CULTURALLY RELEVANT TO HIM. I CONDUCTED LINKING ESOL TO OTHER DISCIPLINES- ESOL RESEARCH AND LEARNED ABOUT CEASAR CHAVEZ'S STANDARDS ARE LINKED TO THE STANDARDS IN PLIGHT AND HOW HE WORKED TO IMPROVE THE OTHER CONTENT AREAS. SINCE THE ENGLISH WORKING CONDITIONS FOR MIGRANT WORKERS. AS LANGUAGE IS THE MEANS FOR COMMUNICATING MY CAREER PROGRESSED OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE LEARNING, THERE IS AN ORGANIC RELATIONSHIP BEEN MORE CONSCIOUS AND INTENTIONAL ABOUT BETWEEN ESOL AND ALL OTHER COURSES. AS A MAKING EDUCATION MEANINGFUL, CULTURALLY RESULT, WE LEARN ENGLISH WHILE LEARNING THE RELEVANT, AND ENGAGING FOR ALL MY STUDENTS. CONTENT. THIS IS ONLY POSSIBLE WHEN I EFFECTIVELY COLLABORATE WITH CLASSROOM DR. TAMALA STUCKEY, NBCT, 25 JUNE 2022, PLF TEACHERS. SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE- I CONTINUE CONFERENCE TO LEARN DIFFERENT STRATEGIES THROUGH WIDA AND ESOL WORKSHOPS TO CUSTOMIZE LEARNING FOR ELS. THIS INCLUDES LEARNING ABOUT TOOLS FOR DELIVERING INSTRUCTION, SUCH AS TECHNOLOGY AND DIFFERENT MATERIALS. MULTIPLE PATHS TO KNOWLEDGE- ASIDE FROM USING STRATEGIES TO TEACH KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS, I ALSO SHOW TECHNIQUES THAT STUDENTS WILL NEED ACROSS CONTENT AREAS (EX., PRE-WRITING, EDITING, ETC.), SO STUDENTS CAN ENGAGE AND APPLY WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED AND NOT JUST STOP AT RECALLING INFORMATION. EILEEN BUREANO, JUNE 25, 2022, PLF CONFERENCE PAGE |09

I RECEIVED AN NBCT CERTIFICATION AS AN EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS SPECIALIST IN 2015, AND MY NBCT JOURNEY HAS BEEN ONGOING STEADILY AND PURPOSEFULLY EVER SINCE. I WAS A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER WHO DECIDED TO ATTEMPT THE NBCT PROCESS BECAUSE A FEW OF MY COLLEAGUES AT THE SCHOOL I WAS AT ATTEMPTED IT, AND THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL. MY MAIN REASON FOR APPLYING FOR THE CERTIFICATION WHY WAS MY BELIEF THAT I COULD SHOW THAT I AM AN ACCOMPLISHED TEACHER. I WORK VERY HARD, JUST LIKE MANY DEDICATED DID I TEACHERS, AND I GIVE MY BEST IN ALL I EMBARK ON. SO, IT WAS EASY TO APPLY FOR THIS CERTIFICATION, BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY CHALLENGING TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS. THE OBSTACLES I FACED WHEN I BEGAN IN 2013 WERE A BECOME MOST CHALLENGING CLASS, A COUPLE OF DIFFICULT PARENTS, AND MY PROGRAM COORDINATOR, WHO WAS OVERWHELMED AND THEREFORE UNSUPPORTIVE. I SPENT MANY HOURS BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PREPARING, RESEARCHING, AND DEVISING WAYS TO A NBCT? OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES I FACED. SO, MY NBCT PROCESS WAS AFFECTED BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE AMPLE TIME TO WORK ON MY WRITING AS I PLANNED TO. I HAD THE DATA I NEEDED, BUT AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF TIME WAS WHAT I LACKED. I WAS EXHAUSTED FROM MANAGING A VARIETY OF EXTREME NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS WITHIN MY CLASS, TOWARDS BY ADEBISI BABAYEMI OTHER STUDENTS IN THE CLASS, STAFF MEMBERS THAT WORKED WITH ME, AND TOWARDS ME. THEN, PHOTOS BY KATRECA KNEALE THERE WERE FREQUENT AND PROLONGED MEETINGS TO ADDRESS THE BEHAVIORS, BUT I WAS STILL EXPECTED TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH MINIMAL SUPPORT. I HAD CHILDREN IN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE WHO ALSO REQUIRED MY SUPPORT AS A PARENT. THIS CHALLENGING EXPERIENCE AFFECTED MY SCORES WHEN I SUBMITTED MY E-PORTFOLIO, BUT I WAS DETERMINED TO ACHIEVE MY NBCT CERTIFICATION BY ALL MEANS POSSIBLE. I HAD AN AWESOME MENTOR WHO ENCOURAGED, SUPPORTED, AND PROVIDED ME WITH RESOURCES, SO THIS AMAZING INDIVIDUAL AIDED MY DECISION TO PRESS ON. IN 2014, I DID A RETAKE ON TWO COMPONENTS AS I NEEDED SOME ADDITIONAL POINTS FOR CERTIFICATION, AND EVEN THOUGH THE ACADEMIC YEAR WAS ALSO DIFFICULT, I LEARNED THAT I NEEDED TO RISE ABOVE THE HURDLES AND SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MANAGE STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND PROMOTE ACADEMIC SUCCESS. I FOCUSED ON STUDENTS WHO REQUIRED BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT, AND I WAS ABLE TO BUILD PARENTAL SUPPORT AND COOPERATION. SOME PARENTS STAYED IN TOUCH AND INFORMED ME OF THEIR CHILDREN’S PROGRESS IN HIGH SCHOOL. ONE OF MY STUDENTS WAS HOSPITALIZED NUMEROUS TIMES, AND BECAUSE OF THE GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FAMILY, I COULD VISIT AND SUPPORT MY FORMER STUDENT. I STATED THAT MY NBCT JOURNEY IS ONGOING STEADILY AND PURPOSEFULLY BECAUSE I CANNOT RETURN TO MY LIFE BEFORE BECOMING AN NBCT. THE EXPERIENCE HAS SHAPED MY ATTITUDE AND LIFE TO THAT OF EXPECTING THE BEST FROM EVERY CHILD AND THE ADULTS I INTERACT WITH DAILY AND GIVING MY ALL TO SUPPORT MY STUDENTS, SCHOOL, AND EVERYTHING I DO. I CONTINUE TO LEARN, GROW AND WORK ON ACCOMPLISHING MY GOALS. SO, IF I CAN SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVE NBCT, YOU CAN, TOO, IF YOU SET YOUR FOCUS ON IT. I WISH ANYONE PURSUING NBCT A REWARDING OUTCOME! PAGE |10

BY LATANYA S. SOTHERN NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION: A PATHWAY TO LEADERSHIP IN SY2022, I COMPLETED MY 25TH YEAR AS AN EDUCATOR IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND BEGINNING MY 4TH YEAR AS A PRINCIPAL. THROUGHOUT MY JOURNEY, I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PEOPLE ASK ME WHAT I THINK WAS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPETUS FOR MY BECOMING A SCHOOL LEADER AND ADMINISTRATOR. I CONTINUALLY POINT BACK TO MY JOURNEY AS A NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHER AS THE ANSWER. IT WAS, BY AND LARGE, THE SINGLE-MOST-IMPORTANT LEVER IN MY LEADERSHIP JOURNEY. THIS INFLUENCE IS WHY I MADE IT MY BUSINESS TO ENCOURAGE MY HIGHLY-AMBITIOUS TEACHERS TO PURSUE NBCT STATUS AS A PATHWAY TO PROPEL THEIR LEADERSHIP. MY JOURNEY TO BEING A SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR WAS SUPPORTED BY THREE CRUCIAL THINGS I LEARNED AS AN NBCT CANDIDATE: GRIT/RESILIENCY, THE POWER OF THE NETWORK, AND THE ABILITY TO IDENTIFY EFFECTIVE TEACHING AT ANY LEVEL. GRIT AND RESILIENCY: IN 2007, I STARTED DOWN THE PATH OF BECOMING A NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHER AS AN EARLY CHILDHOOD GENERALIST. I LOOKED AT THE APPROACHING JOURNEY THROUGH MY PAST EXPERIENCES AS A LEARNER. SCHOOL AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GOOD TO ME - I HAVE BEEN A HIGH- ACHIEVING STUDENT SINCE KINDERGARTEN, WAS A HIGH SCHOOL VALEDICTORIAN, RECEIVED A FULL-RIDE UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP, AND EARNED A MASTER’S DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. NOT BAD FOR A LITTLE GIRL WHO GREW UP IN SOUTHEAST DC. SO, OF COURSE, I EXPECTED THIS JOURNEY TO BE THE SAME - EFFICIENT WITH EFFORTLESS RESULTS. IT WAS NOT. I MISSED THE CUT SCORE NOT ONCE BUT TWICE! THE FIRST TIME I COMPLETED MY PORTFOLIO, I WAS NINE MONTHS PREGNANT WITH MY YOUNGEST SON IN THE SPRING OF 2008. I WAS DEVASTATED WHEN I RECEIVED MY FIRST “REJECTION” IN NOVEMBER OF THAT YEAR. I WAS GOING TO QUIT, TAKE MY BALL, AND GO HOME. BUT MY MENTOR, ADRIENNE HENDERSON-COLE, WOULD HEAR NONE OF IT. INSTEAD, SHE “GATHERED ME ALL THE WAY UP” AND PUSHED ME TO REAPPLY. AFTER PICKING MY FACE UP OFF THE FLOOR, LICKING MY WOUNDS, AND SELECTING A COMPONENT THAT WOULD GIVE ME THE MOST BANG FOR MY BUCK, I REAPPLIED - AND MISSED BY THE SAME SCORE! THIS TIME, UNLIKE THE FIRST TIME, I RECEIVED FEEDBACK FROM NBPTS. I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND IT, BUT AFTER CONFERRING WITH AN NBCT IN MY BUILDING - JULIE HUGHEY, I MADE A SIMPLE CORRECTION. AS A RESULT, I PASSED MY THIRD AND FINAL ATTEMPT AND RECEIVED MY CERTIFICATION IN JANUARY 2010. GRIT AND RESILIENCE ARE NEEDED IN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AS WE ARE EXPECTED TO ENDURE THE EVER-SHIFTING SANDS OF THE EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE. PAGE | 11

BY LATANYA S. SOTHERN NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION: A PATHWAY TO LEADERSHIP . THE POWER OF THE NETWORK: THOSE WHO KNOW ME WILL HEAR ME FREQUENTLY SAY, “EDUCATION IS A SOCIAL SCIENCE.” THE SOCIAL TAKES CENTER STAGE IN EVERY CONNECTION AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, IS THE MOST CRITICAL FACTOR, EVEN MORE THAN THE SCIENCE OF EDUCATIONAL PEDAGOGY. IN OUR DISTRICT, SOCIAL CAPITAL IS A POWERFUL LEVER SUPPORTING CHANGE AND GROWTH. I BEGAN TO DEVELOP MY DISTRICT- LEVEL NETWORK WHEN I STARTED MY JOURNEY. THE TEACHERS I ENCOUNTERED HAVE DEVELOPED INTO SCHOOL AND DISTRICT-LEVEL LEADERS AND ADMINISTRATORS. WHEN I WAS NEWLY CERTIFIED, I WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORTED NBCT CANDIDATES, PEIP, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS, AND THE MATH DEPARTMENT. THAT CERTIFICATION ACCOMPLISHMENT OPENED THE DOOR FOR MANY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP MY LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND ANDRAGOGY. NOW, AS A SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR, I CAN REACH OUT TO MANY OF THE SAME PEOPLE TO SUPPORT MY SCHOOL COMMUNITY. THESE PEOPLE KNOW ME, MY PRACTICE, AND MY COMMITMENT TO THE LEARNER AND ARE WILLING TO PARTNER WITH ME TO HELP MY SCHOLARS. IT IS A POWERFUL TOOL FROM WHICH ALL SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS CAN BENEFIT. IDENTIFYING AND IMPLEMENTING EFFECTIVE TEACHING: AS AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR, I WAS VERY ANXIOUS ABOUT MY ABILITY TO TRANSITION TO A BUILDING-LEVEL SCHOOL LEADER AS INSTRUCTIONAL LEAD TEACHER. IN ADDITION, I WAS CONCERNED THAT MY EXPERIENCE WASN’T DIVERSE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT INTERMEDIATE TEACHERS IN GRADES FOUR AND ABOVE. MY PRINCIPAL, TONYA RIGGINS, ASSUAGED MY CONCERNS. “SOTHERN, YOU KNOW GOOD INSTRUCTION. GOOD INSTRUCTION IS THE SAME NO MATTER THE GRADE LEVEL. YOU WILL BE GREAT!” AND SHE WAS RIGHT. THE NATIONAL BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STANDARDS FIVE CORE PROPOSITIONS ARE HALLMARKS THAT ALLOW ANYONE TO IDENTIFY EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION. DEDICATION TO STUDENT LEARNING, ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE AND PEDAGOGY IN SUBJECT AREA AND INSTRUCTION, MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING, REFLECTION ON EXPERIENCES AND APPLICATION OF EFFECTIVE PRACTICES, AND PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND COLLABORATION WITH OTHERS ARE TRAITS THAT EDUCATION PRACTITIONERS CAN USE AS A MEASURING STICK FOR EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION. MY THREE-YEAR JOURNEY TO CERTIFICATION INGRAINED THESE PROPOSITIONS INTO MY PSYCHE AND PRACTICE AND ARE NOW A PART OF ME. COMBINE THAT WITH THE ALIGNMENT OF THE FRAMEWORK FOR TEACHING EVALUATION INSTRUMENT WITH THE NATIONAL BOARD STANDARDS. YOU HAVE A FOUNDATION THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR CAN USE TO MOVE TEACHERS TO BE NOT JUST PROFICIENT BUT DISTINGUISHED. NOW, AS THE PRINCIPAL OF A K-8 ACADEMY, I CAN USE THESE SAME METRICS TO SUPPORT MY TEACHERS IN THEIR GROWTH. EVEN THOUGH MY OFFICIAL TITLE IS “PRINCIPAL,” I STILL SEE MYSELF BOTH AS A TEACHER AND A “TEACHER-COACH” WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO SUPPORT THE INSTRUCTION OF THOSE UNDER MY LEADERSHIP. NOW, MY TEACHERS ARE MY STUDENTS. AFTER THREE YEARS OF PREACHING THE MERITS OF THE NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION PROCESS, MY TEACHERS ANSWERED THE CALL THIS YEAR. I AM TOLD THAT OUR SCHOOL HAS A RECORD NUMBER OF CANDIDATES FROM ONE BUILDING IN OUR DISTRICT, AND I AM TICKLED PINK! I HAVE OFFERED TO SUPPORT THEM IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE, INCLUDING REVIEWING NARRATIVES, RECORDING LESSONS, ETC. I WANT THEM TO FEEL SUPPORTED TO DO AND BE THEIR BEST, AND THE DEVELOPER IN ME CANNOT WAIT. IF THEY ARE COMMITTED TO THE WORK AND TRUST THE PROCESS, I AM CONFIDENT THEY WILL DEVELOP THE GRIT, NETWORK, AND ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE TEACHING PRACTICES. THIS SKILL SET WILL PROPEL THEM ALONG THEIR RESPECTIVE LEADERSHIP JOURNEYS, AND I BELIEVE IT WILL DO THE SAME FOR ANYONE WILLING TO CERTIFY. PAGE | 12

INTERVIEW WITH OUR POWERS UNITED: THE BENEFITS OF PLCS FOR INITIAL NBCT CERTIFICATION AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVLYN HOLLIE, NBCT BY COLLEEN ECCLES, NBCT COLLEEN ECCLES IS A MENTOR TEACHER IN QUESTION 1: HOW DID THIS PLC FORM? THE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP. SHE IS IN HER 16TH YEAR IN COLLEEN: WELL, DAVLYN AND I ALREADY KNEW PGCPS, INITIALLY SERVING IN THE ROLE OF EACH OTHER FROM THE WORLD OF SOCIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER STUDIES, SO THAT FAMILIARITY WAS THERE. WE AND NOW SERVING AS A MENTOR TEACHER. WERE BOTH SEEKING CERTIFICATION IN THE HER FAVORITE HISTORICAL FIGURE IS MARY SAME AREA-- EARLY ADOLESCENT SOCIAL ANN SHADD CARY. STUDIES. SO WE SAT NEXT TO EACH OTHER AT SATURDAY SESSIONS AND DIGESTED DAVLYN HOLLIE IS IN HER 6TH YEAR OF INFORMATION THROUGH THE LENS OF OUR TEACHING MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES IN PROMPTS AND OUR STANDARDS. WE BOUNCED PGCPS. SHE IS A PROUD GRADUATE OF IDEAS OFF EACH OTHER REGARDING EVIDENCE HOWARD UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF AND TIMING. WE ALREADY HAD THAT SUPPORT PENNSYLVANIA. HER FAVORITE HISTORICAL IN EACH OTHER, BUT THEN THE PANDEMIC FIGURE IS SADIE TANNER MOSSELL HAPPENED, AND EVERYTHING WENT REMOTE IN ALEXANDER. MARCH OF 2020. IN EARLY 2020, ON THE CUSP OF WHAT WOULD DAVLYN: THERE WERE FEW WHO WERE SEEKING END UP BEING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, CERTIFICATION IN OUR AREA AND WE KNEW WE CANDIDATES PURSUING THEIR INITIAL NEEDED TO STICK TOGETHER. WE REACHED OUT NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION IN TO A FEW OTHERS WHO WERE PURSUING SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES DECIDED THEY EITHER MIDDLE OR HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL NEEDED THE COMMUNITY TO SUCCEED. THESE STUDIES CERTIFICATION TO SEE IF THEY CANDIDATES ORGANIZED AN UNOFFICIAL (YET WANTED TO CONNECT WITH US. WE CONNECTED VERY EFFECTIVE!) PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OVER EMAIL AND ZOOM TO DISCUSS IDEAS AND COMMUNITY (PLC). WE SAT DOWN WITH TWO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER THROUGH THE OF THESE MEMBERS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NATIONAL BOARD PROCESS. THEIR PLC EXPERIENCE. PAGE | 13

INTERVIEW QUESTION 2: HOW DID THE PLC QUESTION 3: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU BENEFIT YOU? HAVE FOR CANDIDATES LOOKING TO FORM THEIR OWN PLC? COLLEEN: THIS PLC GAVE ME A COMMUNITY THAT SPOKE MY LANGUAGE. IT GAVE ME A DAVLYN: FIRST, I WOULD SAY DON’T BE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO KNEW MY AFRAID TO REACH OUT. THE GOAL IS TO FIND STANDARDS, MY PROMPTS, MY RUBRICS, AND SOMEONE IN YOUR CERTIFICATION AREA. BEST PRACTICES IN THE CONTENT. WE WERE EVEN IF YOU ONLY FIND ONE PERSON, YOU ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER TO DISCUSS BOTH ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK! REMEMBER, A PLC GENERAL CONCERNS (HOW TO GET STUDENTS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE IN-PERSON. IT CAN BE TO RETURN PERMISSION FORMS FOR FILMING) OVER EMAIL OR ZOOM. IT’S ALL ABOUT WHAT AS WELL AS THE CONTENT-SPECIFIC THE GROUP IS COMFORTABLE WITH. CONCERNS THAT OTHER NBCTS MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO (CREATING STUDY GUIDES COLLEEN: MY ADVICE WOULD BE THAT A PLC FOR COMP1, DEEP DIVING ON SPECIFIC DOESN’T HAVE TO BE FORMAL OR OFFICIAL. STANDARDS, ETC). THE TERM “PLC” SOUNDS FANCY, BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE FANCY! JUST START BY DAVLYN: WELL, WE DIDN’T HAVE A LOT OF INTRODUCING YOURSELF (EITHER OVER EMAIL NBCTS THAT WERE CERTIFIED IN OUR AREA OR IN PERSON) TO SOMEONE IN THE SAME SO IT WAS HARD TO ASK THOSE CONTENT- CERTIFICATION AREA. SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. THIS PLC ALLOWED ME TO BE VULNERABLE. WE KNEW WE WERE IN THIS TOGETHER AND IT WAS COMFORTING TO BE WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO KNEW THE PROMPTS AND THE STANDARDS. NOT TO MENTION THE STUDY GUIDES! BEING ABLE TO BOUNCE IDEAS OFF EACH OTHER AND CREATE THE COMPONENT 1 STUDY GUIDES REALLY HELPED ME ON THIS JOURNEY. DO’S AND DON’TS FOR NBCT PLCS PAGE | 14

\"NBCT is NOT just changing the letters after your name, it is changing the lives of students!\" PEGGY BROOKINS, NBCT ON THE TOPIC OF RECRUITMENT DIVERSE TEACHERS TO PURSUE NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT IN THE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM BY SENETRIA BLOCKER, NBCT ONE OF THE MORE CHALLENGING ASPECTS OF SPECIALS (CLASSES SUCH AS MUSIC, ART, AND TEACHING IS MANAGING A CLASSROOM. FOR THIS PHYSICAL EDUCATION), LUNCH, BATHROOM POST, I USE CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT TO REFER BREAKS, AND OTHER DAILY EVENTS CAN BE USED TO PROVIDING A SAFE, PRODUCTIVE LEARNING TO KEEP THE CLASS ON TRACK. ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS. MANAGING A CLASSROOM COVERS QUITE A BIT OF GROUND, RULES AND CONSEQUENCES SHOULD BE INCLUDING THE WAY STUDENTS MOVE AROUND TO DISPLAYED AND FOLLOWED. CONSEQUENCES COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS AND OTHER TASKS, HOW SHOULD FIT THE CHALLENGE AND BE USED TO THEY LINE UP AND ROTATE THROUGH LEARNING REDIRECT BEHAVIOR. THERE IS NO NEED TO CALL CENTERS, COLLECT ASSIGNMENTS AND INTERACT HOME FOR A MINOR OFFENSE OR SEND A CHILD WITH ONE ANOTHER, THE TEACHER, AND OTHER TO THE OFFICE IF THE SITUATION CAN BE ADULTS IN THE SCHOOL. CORRECTED IN THE CLASSROOM. STUDENTS SHOULD BE GIVEN FREQUENT REMINDERS OF THE I ADVISE TEACHERS TO BE PROACTIVE WHEN EXPECTATIONS. ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR POSITIVE PREPARING THEIR CLASSROOMS FOR INSTRUCTION. BEHAVIORS WITH VERBAL PRAISE. REMINDING IT’S IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT PROCEDURES STUDENTS OF THEIR OBJECTIVES AND THE RULES SUCH AS: HOW AND WHERE STUDENTS WILL LINE OF ENGAGEMENT WILL HELP THEM MEET ANY UP, PLACE PERSONAL BELONGINGS, COLLECT WORK, CHALLENGES. AFTER STATING EXPECTATIONS, ASK SHARPEN PENCILS, ETC. THINKING ABOUT YOUR A STUDENT TO REPEAT THEM AND ALLOW THE NON-NEGOTIABLE ITEMS AND WHAT CLASS RULES STUDENTS TO ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS. WILL MAKE YOUR CLASSROOM RUN SMOOTHLY WEBSITES SUCH AS HTTPS://BOUNCYBALLS.ORG BEFORE SCHOOL BEGINS IS ESSENTIAL TO CAN BE USED TO PROVIDE VISUALS TO REINFORCE STARTING THE YEAR OFF RIGHT. TO PREPARE, TAKE REQUESTS FOR LIMITING SOUNDS. SOME TIME TO WRITE OUT THE PROCEDURES AND NON-NEGOTIABLE RULES. ONCE YOU HAVE YOUR EVEN THE BEST CLASSROOM MANAGERS FIND IT LIST, FIND A MENTOR OR TEACHER FRIEND TO NECESSARY TO RESET THEIR CLASSROOMS FROM DISCUSS YOUR PLANS AND EXCHANGE IDEAS. TIME TO TIME. IF YOU FIND THAT THE CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT HAS BECOME CHALLENGING TO WITH YOUR LIST OF PROCEDURES DEVELOPED AND MANAGE, IT IS TIME FOR A RESET. THE RESET THOUGHTFULLY REVIEWED, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO SHOULD BE VISIBLE AND DONE INTENTIONALLY. TEACH STUDENTS BY PRACTICING (PHYSICALLY TO RESET THE ROOM: MOVING ABOUT THE ROOM) HOW TO IMPLEMENT PROCEDURES AND FOLLOW THE RULES FROM THE 1.CALL A CLASS MEETING (GATHER STUDENTS START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. TEACH STUDENTS TO AND TELL THEM YOU WILL DISCUSS THE FOLLOW THE STEPS INDEPENDENTLY, MODEL CHALLENGES IN THE CLASS.) EXPECTED BEHAVIORS, AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO REHEARSE AS 2. DISCUSS THE RECENT CHALLENGES AND THE TEACHER COACHES. WHEN STUDENTS REVIEW THE RULES AND CONSEQUENCES. CORRECTLY FOLLOW PROCEDURES OR RULES, IT IS ALLOW STUDENTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE VITAL TO VOICE BEHAVIORS DONE CORRECTLY. FOR CONVERSATION. REVISE RULES AND EXAMPLE, “I SEE MONROE HAS UNPACKED ALL OF CONSEQUENCES IF NECESSARY. HIS BELONGINGS, PUT AWAY HIS BOOKBAG, AND WRITTEN DOWN HIS HOMEWORK. THANK YOU, 3. TAKE TIME TO MODEL YOUR EXPECTATIONS AND MONROE.” YOU MAY NEED TO REMIND STUDENTS OR ALLOW PRACTICE TIME. FOR EXAMPLE, IF PROVIDE PRACTICE SESSIONS TO REINFORCE STUDENTS HAVE DIFFICULTY WORKING QUIETLY, CLASSROOM PROCEDURES. MAKE IT A PART OF TELL THEM PRECISELY WHAT YOU MEAN. ”THERE YOUR MONTHLY ROUTINE OR PRACTICE WHEN YOU SHOULD BE NO TALKING FOR THE NEXT TEN FIND A MAJORITY OF STUDENTS HAVE FORGOTTEN MINUTES. DURING THAT TIME, YOU WILL WORK OR SLIPPED IN FOLLOWING THE RULES. INDEPENDENTLY TO SOLVE FIVE MATH PROBLEMS. DO THE BEST YOU CAN TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS CONSIDER INCLUDING A FEW CLASSROOM ON YOUR OWN. I WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS WHEN MANAGEMENT TOOLS SUCH AS POSTING CLASS THE TIMER SOUNDS.” START THE TIMER. DURING JOBS, RULES AND CLEARLY DEFINED QUIET TIME, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU REFRAIN CONSEQUENCES, LABELING WORK AREAS, AND A FROM TALKING. IF ANY STUDENT TALKS, QUICKLY DAILY SCHEDULE TO MAKE YOUR CLASS RUN REMIND EVERYONE THAT WE ARE NOT TALKING SMOOTHLY. CLASS JOBS, ROLES STUDENTS PLAY IN UNTIL THE TIMER SOUNDS. AFTER TEN MINUTES, MANAGING THE CLASSROOM, INCLUDE POSITIONS PRAISE STUDENTS AND REPEAT. SUCH AS PAPER COLLECTOR, LINE LEADER, TIMEKEEPER, DOOR HOLDER, OR GEEK SQUAD NO TWO CLASSES ARE THE SAME, AND WHAT (HELP STUDENTS MANAGE TECHNOLOGY). THE WORKS WELL FOR ONE GROUP OF STUDENTS MAY SELECTION OF CLASS JOBS IS VAST, AND IT IS UP NOT HAVE THE SAME EFFECT ON A DIFFERENT TO THE TEACHER TO DECIDE WHAT JOBS ARE GROUP. PUTTING SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE WILL NEEDED AND HOW MANY JOBS TO OFFER. LABELING HELP YOUR CLASS RUN SMOOTHLY, AND BEING WORK AREAS AND PROVIDING INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSISTENT WITH MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES WILL USAGE (WRITTEN FOR OLDER STUDENTS AND HELP EVERYONE FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE, SAFE PICTURES WITH WORDS FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS) AND HEARD. PROVIDES A REFERENCE WHEN STUDENTS DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO. POSTING A SCHEDULE THAT FOR MORE TIPS, CHECK OUT MY BLOG, INCLUDES TIMES, SUBJECTS TAUGHT, HTTPS://WWW.SENETRIABLOCKER.COM/ . PAGE | 16

5 TIPS FOR WRITING A GREAT ARTICLE OR BLOG POST! EDUCATORS CREATE A MULTITUDE OF WRITTEN DOCUMENTS AND REPORTS. HOWEVER, WHEN ASKED TO CREATE CONTENT FOR BLOGS, MAGAZINES, AND WEBSITES WE MAY FEEL CHALLENGED OR FIND THIS TO BE A DAUNTING TASK. HERE IS A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR EASING THE ANGST AROUND AUTHORING A GREAT ARTICLE OR BLOG POST! GATHER AND KEEP A LIST OF IDEAS HANDY! 1. GATHER AND KEEP A LIST OF IDEAS HANDY! AS EDUCATORS, WE COME ACROSS SO MANY INTERESTING ARTICLES, BOOKS, AND CONVERSATIONS THAT SPARK OUR INVENTIVE MINDS. AS YOU MANEUVER THROUGH THE DAY GATHER YOUR SOURCES AND KEEP A LIST OF TOPICS OR IDEAS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WRITE ABOUT. WHEN YOU ARE READY TO WRITE, YOU WILL HAVE OPTIONS AT THE TIP OF YOUR PEN. RESEARCH AND MORE RESEARCH! 2. RESEARCH AND MORE RESEARCH! WHILE WRITING YOU MAY NEED TO REFER TO FACTS, STATISTICS, OR THE WORK OF ANOTHER AUTHOR. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH SPENDING TIME CONDUCTING RESEARCH ON YOUR TOPIC, BUT DO NOT GET BOGGED DOWN BY THE RESEARCH AND MISS THE WRITING. WHEN CONDUCTING YOUR RESEARCH BE EXTREMELY SPECIFIC IN YOUR KEYWORD OR PHRASE SEARCH SO THAT YOU CAN QUICKLY LOCATE THE INFORMATION AND GET BACK TO YOUR WRITING. STAFF AT THE MASTERCLASS SUGGEST THAT YOU RESEARCH EFFICIENTLY. WHO IS THE AUDIENCE? 3. WHO IS THE AUDIENCE? WE HEAR THIS ALL THE TIME. AFTER RESEARCHING THE TOPIC BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO WRITE, KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE! IT IS VITAL THAT YOU KNOW WHOM YOUR WRITTEN PIECE IS TARGETING. ACCORDING TO JIMDO, YOU SHOULD ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS: · WHO IS MY PRIMARY AUDIENCE? · WHAT ABOUT A SECONDARY AUDIENCE WHO CAN INFLUENCE AND INFORM MY PRIMARY AUDIENCE? · MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CONTENT IS ACCESSIBLE AND EXCITING TO BOTH TYPES OF AUDIENCES. KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET. 4. KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET. EDUCATORS KNOW THAT STUDENTS HAVE SHORT ATTENTION SPANS, BUT THE SAME GOES FOR ADULT LEARNERS. IF THE CONTENT DOES NOT SPARK THEIR INTEREST WITHIN THE FIRST FEW WORDS, YOU HAVE LOST THEM. MAKE YOUR WRITTEN CONTENT DIRECT, CONCISE, AND EASY TO CONSUME. YOU CAN USE THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES TO CHECK THE READABILITY OF YOUR TEXT: · THE READABILITY TEST TOOL · THE READABILITY CALCULATOR · MICROSOFT WORD PAGE | 17

FINISH WRITING. THEN EDIT. REFLECTION TIME! 5. FINISH WRITING, THEN EDIT. WE ALL EDIT FIVE 5 TIPS FOR WRITING A GREAT ARTICLE WHILE WE WRITE. THIS WILL SLOW YOU OR BLOG POST! DOWN AND COULD PREVENT YOU FROM 1. GATHER AND KEEP A LIST OF IDEAS COMPLETING YOUR WORK. AFTER YOU COMPLETE THE WRITING, WALK AWAY FROM HANDY! THE COMPUTER, AND TAKE A BREAK. RETURN 2. RESEARCH AND MORE RESEARCH! TO YOUR WORK WITH FRESH EYES AND EARS 3. WHO IS THE AUDIENCE? SO YOU CAN READ THE TEXT ALOUD (YOU 4. KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET. WOULD BE AMAZED AT THE ERRORS YOU 5. FINISH WRITING, THEN EDIT. CATCH), THEN REREAD YOUR TEXT FOR GRAMMAR, SPELLING, AND WORD CHOICE. THIS IS THE TIME TO ADD CATCHY PHRASES, HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANT POINTS, AND CREATE CONSISTENCY. WHILE THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST, THESE ARE FIVE POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN CREATING CONTENT THAT YOUR READERS WILL LEARN FROM, RETURN TO, AND SHARE WITH OTHERS. DR. RAINYA P. MILLER FOR MORE ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACCOMPLISHED TEACHING VISIT WWW.ACCOMPLISHEDEDUCATORS.COM PAGE | 18

\"THE BEST PRINCE GEORGE'S TEACHERS COUNTY PUBLIC ARE SCHOOLS' NATIONAL THOSE BOARD CERTIFIED WHO SHOW YOU TEACHERS NETWORK WHERE TO BLOG, LOOK BUT DON'T WE ARE PGCPS NBCT. TELL YOU WHAT TO SEE.\" CHECK IT OUT. HTTPS://PGCPSNBCT.WIXSIT E.COM/PGCPSNBCT BY ALEXANDRA K. TRENFOR PAGE | 19

FIVE TIPS TO START THE SCHOOL YEAR, SAMANTHA BARDOE, NBCT TIP #1: GET ORGANIZED! TIP #4 PLAN FOR FUN! IF YOU’RE LIKE ME YOU’RE A PLANNER AND LIST CLEARLY THE PAST 2.5 SCHOOL YEARS HAVE NOT JUNKIE. I’VE GOT ENOUGH PLANNERS, NOTEBOOKS, BEEN WHAT WE HAD HOPED OR EXPECTED. AND PENS IN EVERY COLOR TO LAST A LIFETIME BUT THOUGH COVID IS FAR FROM GONE, THIS WILL BE THAT’S STILL NOT GOING TO STOP ME FROM GETTING THE FIRST TIME I START THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH SOME NEW ONES FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR. FIND A ALL MY STUDENTS IN PERSON SINCE THE FALL OF SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR YOU AND STICK WITH IT! I 2019. WHILE WE CAN ALL GO ON ABOUT HOW LIKE TO LIST THINGS IN ORDER OF PRIORITY TO MUCH LEARNING LOSS OUR STUDENTS HAVE MANAGE MY OWN TIME BETTER, WHICH LEADS ME SUFFERED AND CONTINUE TO SUFFER FROM THE TO… UPHEAVAL OF THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THIS YEAR PRESENTS A STRONG OPPORTUNITY TO TIP #2 SET BOUNDARIES REBUILD COMMUNITIES WITHIN AND BEYOND SCHOOLS. FOR ME, THAT INCLUDES ALL THE FUN SET BOUNDARIES FOR YOURSELF AND STICK TO THINGS WE’VE MISSED OUT ON THE PAST COUPLE THEM! TEACHER BURNOUT IS REAL AND WORK-LIFE OF YEARS. IN EARLY CHILDHOOD THAT LOOKS BALANCE IS AN ONGOING STRUGGLE. THIS YEAR I’M LIKE ME FINALLY GETTING TO TRY TO GET MY MAKING IT A GOAL TO PRIORITIZE MY FAMILY STUDENTS BACK TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH (OR OUTSIDE OF WORK HOURS. I’M GIVING MYSELF AN BRINGING THE PUMPKIN TO THE SCHOOL ON THE EXTRA 30 MINUTES IN THE BUILDING BOTH BEFORE PLAYGROUND!). MY MIDDLE SCHOOL COLLEAGUE AND AFTER SCHOOL AND SETTING A HARD STOP AT GETS HER STUDENTS TO CARVE CONSTELLATIONS THE END OF MY DAY. I’M SWITCHING TO A NEW IN PUMPKINS FOR THEIR ASTRONOMY UNIT. GRADE LEVEL AND A NEW SCHOOL AND I KNOW I WHILE IT DOESN’T HAVE TO ALL BE ABOUT WILL BE PLAYING CATCH-UP ON CURRICULUM, PUMPKINS, GET EXCITED TO CELEBRATE THE GETTING INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS READY, ETC. HOLIDAYS, COMMUNITIES, AND EVENTS YOUR I’M TRYING TO BE REALISTIC ABOUT KNOWING I’LL SCHOOL LOVES AGAIN! BE SPENDING SOME TIME ON THE WEEKEND WORKING, BUT I WILL ALSO SET HARD TIME FRAMES TIP #5 GIVE GRACE FOR MYSELF WHEN THOSE TIMES COME TO REALLY BE PRESENT AT HOME AND MAKE SURE I FIT IN FINALLY, GIVE GRACE TO YOUR COLLEAGUES, SOME SUNDAY FUNDAYS! YOUR STUDENTS, BUT ESPECIALLY TO YOURSELF. EVEN THOUGH WE ARE MOVING TIP #3 PLAN YOUR ROUTINES AND BACK TO “NORMALCY” WE SHOULDN'T PROCEDURES FORGET THAT THE TRAUMA OF THE LAST TWO YEARS (BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE *STANDS UP ON SOAPBOX* I CAN’T STRESS CLASSROOM) HAS BEEN ALL TOO REAL FOR HOW IMPORTANT PLANNING YOUR ROUTINES US AND THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. AS AND PROCEDURES IS! WHEN I SAY I PLAN MUCH AS PEOPLE WANT TO STOP “BLAMING THESE, I HAVE MAPS AND DIAGRAMS OF MY COVID”, AS TEACHERS WE ARE ACUTELY CLASSROOM FOR TRAFFIC FLOW, I WRITE AWARE OF THE ONGOING IMPACTS OF COVID. OUT A SCRIPT FOR MYSELF. WHILE THIS MAY WHILE YOU SHOULD 100% SET HIGH AND SEEM ODD FOR SOME BUT FOR ME IT’S VITAL. RIGOROUS EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR I DON’T HANDLE CHAOS WELL AND IN THE STUDENTS AND YOURSELF FOR THE YEAR, EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOM IT’S ALSO REMEMBER TO GIVE GRACE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO ME TO TEACH GENEROUSLY AS WELL. (AND RETEACH AND RETEACH) MY ROUTINES AND PROCEDURES. IT WILL SAVE YOU HOURS PAGE | 20 OF TIME IN THE LONG RUN IF YOU COMMIT TO DOING IT WELL AT THE START OF THE YEAR. *STEPS OFF SOAPBOX*

TOP TEN TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR BY KENDRA GATTO, NBCT WE DID IT! WE SURVIVED TEACHING IN A PANDEMIC! THE TEACHING PROFESSION DID A 180 WHEN WE WERE SENT HOME THAT FATEFUL DAY. WE HAD TO LEARN HOW TO USE TECHNOLOGY TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS WHILE THEY WERE HOME. THEN WE HAD TO LEARN HOW TO TEACH IN A HYBRID SITUATION! BEING THE PROFESSIONALS THAT WE ARE, WE LEARNED HOW TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS THE BEST WAY WE COULD UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. NOW, WE FACE ANOTHER CHALLENGE. THE TEACHER SHORTAGE. MANY OF OUR COLLEAGUES HAVE CHOSEN TO RETIRE OR RESIGN FROM THEIR POSITIONS. THOSE OF US THAT REMAIN WILL CERTAINLY HAVE MORE RESPONSIBILITIES THAN WE ANTICIPATED. HOW WILL WE SURVIVE THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR? HERE ARE TEN TIPS TO HELP US THROUGH. 10. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE AVOID THE NEGATIVE NELLIES! COMPLAINERS WILL ONLY BRING YOU DOWN AND LIMIT YOUR POSSIBILITIES. POSITIVE PEOPLE WILL SUPPORT YOU AND HELP YOU SOLVE PROBLEMS WHILE MAINTAINING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. THEY WILL ALSO LIFT YOU UP WHEN YOU ARE FEELING DEFEATED. 9. MAKE SURE YOU ARE WELL PLANNED AND PREPARED FOR THE DAY. KIDS CAN SENSE WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. SO CAN PARENTS! YOU DON’T WANT TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO CLAIM THEY ARE BORED. THAT IS WHEN THE TROUBLE STARTS. OVER PLANNING IS BEST. IF YOU DON’T GET TO EVERYTHING, GREAT! IT’S OKAY. DON’T GO HOME FOR THE DAY UNTIL YOU ARE SET UP FOR THE NEXT DAY. HAVE YOUR PLANS AND SUPPLIES ON YOUR DESK AND OBJECTIVES READY TO BE DISPLAYED. IT’S A GREAT FEELING WALKING INTO YOUR CLASSROOM READY TO GREET YOUR STUDENTS KNOWING YOU ARE READY! 8. SHARE YOUR IDEAS BE A TEAM MATE NOT AN INDIVIDUAL. IT’S CALLED COLLABORATIVE PLANNING FOR A REASON! WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. IF YOU HAVE A GREAT IDEA, DON'T KEEP IT TO YOURSELF! SHARING IDEAS ALLOWS YOU TO STRENGTHEN YOUR LESSONS WHILE CONNECTING WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES. SHARING YOUR IDEAS AND KNOWLEDGE WITH OTHERS CAN HELP THEM GAIN AN IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY CAN APPLY TO THEIR TEACHING. PAGE | 21

TOP TEN TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR... 7. STAY OUT OF THE FACULTY LOUNGE. I KNOW THIS IS WHERE THE BATHROOM, MICROWAVE AND VENDING MACHINES ARE LOCATED BUT THIS IS WHERE THE NEGATIVE PEOPLE HANG OUT. STAY AWAY FROM THEM! REMEMBER #10! YOU WILL ALSO SPEND TOO MUCH PLANNING TIME CHATTING WITH OTHERS. 6. INCORPORATE MORE MOVEMENT INTO YOUR DAY. DO YOU LIKE TO SIT ALL DAY? NEITHER DO YOUR STUDENTS! GET UP AND MOVE. HAVE A DANCE PARTY IN BETWEEN LESSONS. HAVE STUDENTS TRANSITION TO DIFFERENT AREAS IN THE CLASSROOM. LET YOUR STUDENTS SOCIALIZE AND TALK TO EACH OTHER! IT’S OKAY. THESE ARE IMPORTANT SKILLS TO LEARN TOO! 5. BUILD YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR STUDENTS AND PARENTS. THINK BACK TO YOUR FAVORITE TEACHER. IT WAS PROBABLY THE TEACHER WHO CARED MOST ABOUT THEIR STUDENTS. THEY ENCOURAGED YOU TO DO YOUR BEST. BE THAT TEACHER! GET TO KNOW YOUR STUDENTS SO YOU CAN MEET THEIR NEEDS AND DEVELOP THEIR INTERESTS. THEIR PARENTS ARE A GREAT RESOURCE. MAKE PARENT PHONE CALLS DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF SCHOOL TO MAKE A POSITIVE CONNECTION. 4. SET LIMITS WITH YOUR STUDENTS AND PARENTS. THE TEACHING PROFESSION IS AN ENDLESS AMOUNT OF WORK. WE ARE NOT SUPERHEROES. WE HAVE PERSONAL LIVES AND FAMILIES TOO. WE CANNOT BE AVAILABLE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY! DON’T GUILT YOURSELF INTO CONSTANTLY WORKING ON YOUR TIME OFF! LEAVE YOUR CLASSROOM AND THE MENTAL LOAD THAT COMES WITH IT AT SCHOOL. WE KNOW YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR STUDENTS BUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THEIRS. 3. CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES. CONFLICT IS UNAVOIDABLE. AGAIN, WE ARE NOT SUPERHEROES. ONLY ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT ARE TRULY IMPORTANT. BE SELECTIVE OF THE PROBLEMS, ARGUMENTS, AND CONFRONTATIONS THAT YOU NEED TO ADDRESS. ASK FOR HELP FROM OTHERS WHEN NEEDED. SAVE YOUR TIME AND ENERGY FOR THE THINGS THAT MATTER. 2. REMEMBER TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! EVEN THE AIRLINES TELL YOU TO PUT ON YOUR OWN MASK BEFORE HELPING OTHERS! GO FOR A WALK EVERY DAY. LOOK FOR LOCAL ACTIVITIES TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH SCHOOL. JOIN A GYM. EAT HEALTHY. DO SOMETHING FOR YOU! 1. LAUGH! START THE DAY WITH A JOKE OF THE DAY! LAUGHTER BRIGHTENS EVERYONE’S DAY! IT MAKES THE WORLD GO AROUND! ENJOY YOUR STUDENTS! THEY WILL ALWAYS CRACK YOU UP IF YOU GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY! PAGE | 22

LIVE AS IF YOU WERE TO DIE TOMORROW. LEARN AS IF YOU WERE TO LIVE FOREVER. Mahatma Gandhi

DR. LATONYA WRIGHT-ROBERTS, PRINCIPAL DR. AVALIN CUMBERLAND, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, NBCT HOW LEADERS CAN SUPPORT TEACHERS NBC CERTIFICATION PROCESS HOW LEADERS CAN SUPPORT TEACHERS NBC CERTIFICATION PROCESS AS A SCHOOL LEADER, ONE OF THE PRIMARY ROLES IS TO ADVOCATE FOR ACCOMPLISHED AND REFLECTIVE TEACHING WHICH REQUIRES OFFERING TEACHERS RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. BASED ON FORMAL AND INFORMAL OBSERVATION DATA TEACHERS AT TAYAC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ARE CONSISTENT PROFICIENT PRACTITIONERS, AND THEREFORE NEED TO BE CONTINUOUSLY CHALLENGED TO NOT ONLY BE PROFICIENT PRACTITIONERS BUT ALSO REFLECTIVE. MEETING THIS GOAL OF CREATING REFLECTIVE PRACTITIONERS REQUIRES INCREASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENGAGEMENT IN PROGRAMS SUCH AS NBCT. FORTUNATELY, DURING A THINK TANK SESSION, TEACHERS REVEALED THAT THEY ARE READY TO ENGAGE IN THE NBCT PROCESS. AS ADMINISTRATORS, WE ARE READY TO TAKE A SUPPORTIVE STANCE WITH TEACHERS WHO ARE WILLING TO PUSH THEIR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE. THIS INITIATIVE WILL REQUIRE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FOUR SUPPORTIVE STRATEGIES TO HELP TEACHERS MATRICULATE THROUGH THE NBCT PROCESS: CREATING A SAFE WORK SPACE, VIDEO RECORDING SERVICE, DOCUMENT REVIEWER SESSIONS, AND HALF DAY/SATURDAY WRITING SESSIONS. CREATING A SAFE WORK SPACE AS TEACHERS UNDERGO THE NATIONAL CERTIFICATION PROCESS IT IS IMPORTANT FOR TEACHERS TO ENGAGE IN REFLECTIVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THEIR PRACTICE WITHIN A SAFE WORK SPACE. A SAFE WORK SPACE SHOULD BE FREE OF JUDGEMENT, BIAS, AND CRITICISM. CREATING THIS SPACE PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS TO THINK CRITICALLY REGARDING THEIR UNDERLYING BELIEFS ABOUT TEACHING AND LEARNING AND ALIGN THE BELIEFS WITH THE ACTUAL TEACHING PROCESS. THIS WORK SPACE WILL ALSO INCLUDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHER NBCT CANDIDATES AND ADMINISTRATORS WHILE FEELING SAFE TO BE REFLECTIVE. PAGE | 23

DR. LATONYA WRIGHT-ROBERTS, PRINCIPAL DR. AVALIN CUMBERLAND, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, NBCT HOW LEADERS CAN SUPPORT TEACHERS NBC CERTIFICATION PROCESS... VIDEO RECORDING SERVICE THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM WILL VOLUNTEER TIME OR APPOINT A DESIGNEE TO RECORD REQUESTED LESSONS. THIS SUPPORT WILL ALLOW ALL TEACHERS TO RECORD THEIR LESSONS AND HAVE A THOUGHT PARTNER TO ENGAGE IN REFLECTIVE CONVERSATION. THE IMPACT OF THE ADMINISTRATOR RECORDING THE LESSON WOULD ASSIST WITH COLLABORATION AND REFLECTIVE CONVERSATIONS. DOCUMENT REVIEWER SESSIONS THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM WILL ATTEND THE FACILITATOR’S TRAINING IN ORDER TO REVIEW WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK BASED ON THE STANDARDS. THIS WILL GIVE THE TEACHERS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS ACCESS TO A QUALIFIED REVIEWER EVERYDAY. HALF DAY AND SATURDAY WRITING SESSION IN ORDER TO ASSIST TEACHERS WITH THE VARIETY OF TASKS THAT WOULD NEED TO BE COMPLETED FOR THE NBCT PROCESS, WE WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE ONE HALF DAY WORK SESSIONS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY PER MONTH. IN ADDITION, SATURDAY WORK SESSIONS WILL OCCUR TWICE A MONTH IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY. THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM WILL OPEN THE BUILDING AND TEACHERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENGAGE IN WORK TO COMPLETE THE NATIONAL BOARD PROCESS. WE WILL ALSO INVITE INDIVIDUALS FROM THE NBCT OFFICE TO ASSIST THE TEACHERS WHEN AVAILABLE AS WELL AS WE WILL UTILIZE THE TWO NBCT EDUCATORS CURRENTLY IN THE BUILDING AS A MEANS TO SUPPORT TEACHERS' NBCT PROCESS NEEDS. DURING THESE SESSIONS, TEACHERS MAY ENGAGE IN INDEPENDENT WRITING, PORTFOLIO REVIEW/PLANNING, REVISIONS, VIDEO REVIEWS, ETC. IT IS AN HONOR TO SUPPORT TEACHERS THROUGH THE PROCESS AS THEY SHARPEN THE SKILLS TO BECOME RECOGNIZED ACCOMPLISHED TEACHERS AND RECEIVE THE HIGHEST CERTIFICATION A TEACHER MAY OBTAIN. THE SUPPORT PROVIDED FOR THE NBCT CANDIDATES WILL BENEFIT TEACHING, LEARNING, AND IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. PAGE | 24

TECHNOLOGY TIPS WRITTEN BY: JESSICA OLFUS, M. ED. NBCT- ENGLISH AS A NEW LANGUAGE TECHNOLOGY HAS COME A LONG WAY, SO HOW WILL YOU KEEP UP? REMEMBER, YOU DON’T HAVE TO! TECH IS CONTINUALLY GROWING AND CONSTANTLY CHANGING. IT AIMS TO MAKE OUR LIVES EASIER, NOT BE AN AREA OF FRUSTRATION OR WORRY. TECHNOLOGY WAS MADE TO HELP! HERE ARE A FEW TIPS FOR USING TECHNOLOGY IN YOUR CLASSROOM! TECHNOLOGY TIP #1 USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST TRENDS AND WEBSITES. TEACHER “INFLUENCERS” MAKE QUICK HOW-TO VIDEOS ON THE LATEST PROGRAMS AND APPS. THEY ALSO CREATE DIFFERENTIATED WORKSHEETS AND ACTIVITIES YOU CAN PRINT. FOLLOW DIFFERENT TEACHERS BASED ON STUDENTS' AGE LEVELS, CONTENT AREAS, AND SPECIALTIES. SEARCH FOR VIDEOS ON YOUR FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA APP AND START YOUR LEARNING JOURNEY. MANY TEACHER INFLUENCERS GIVE AWAY FREE ITEMS! DON’T HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA? MAKE AN ACCOUNT JUST FOR THE PURPOSE OF SAVING THE VIDEOS THAT YOU FIND. THIS IS AN EASY WAY TO CONNECT WITH TEACHERS ALL OVER THE WORLD! MY FAVORITE ACCOUNTS ON INSTAGRAM INCLUDE @AIMEESEDVENTURES, @THESASSYTEACHER @CREATIONSINEDUCATION. TECHNOLOGY TIP #2 PICK A FEW WEBSITES OR PROGRAMS AND PRACTICE WHAT THEY TEACH. DOING THIS WILL GIVE YOU SOME GO-TO WEBSITES. WE ARE OFTEN AFRAID TO USE UNKNOWN RESOURCES, BUT DON'T LET THAT STOP YOU. YOU CAN’T MESS ANYTHING UP, SO CLICK AROUND AND SEE WHAT THE DIFFERENT BUTTONS DO. CREATE A STUDENT ACCOUNT OR SEE IF THEY HAVE A STUDENT VIEW SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT YOUR STUDENTS WILL SEE. IF YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO DO SOMETHING SPECIFIC IN THE APP, SEARCH YOUTUBE TO FIND A HOW- TO VIDEO AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS. REMEMBER, YOU DON’T NEED TO KNOW HOW TO WORK EVERY APP. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. MY GO-TO APPS FOR EDUCATION: GOOGLE SLIDES, GOOGLE FORM, JAMBOARD, BLOOKET, AND FLIPGRID. TECHNOLOGY TIP #3 USING TECH IMPROVES STUDENTS' ACCESSIBILITY AND GROWS THEIR INDEPENDENCE. TEACHERS OFTEN HAVE DIFFICULTY DIFFERENTIATING ASSIGNMENTS FOR STUDENTS, TECHNOLOGY CAN MAKE DIFFERENTIATING ASSIGNMENTS EASIER. YOU COULD USE AN APP FOR STUDENTS TO RECORD THEMSELVES, ANOTHER APP FOR STUDENTS TO WRITE, AND ANOTHER APP FOR STUDENTS TO VISUALLY REPRESENT THEIR LEARNING. SHOW STUDENTS HOW TO USE APPS ONE AT A TIME UNTIL STUDENTS ARE COMFORTABLE USING THEM ON THEIR OWN. THERE ARE ONLINE HOW-TO SLIDES AND VIDEOS FOR STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND THE MOST SIGNIFICANT APPS, SO YOU CAN HELP THEM NAVIGATE THE WEBSITES AND APPS. PRO TIP: BOOKMARK THE ACCESSIBILITY WEBSITES THEY NEED FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING. BOOKMARK A WEBSITE FOR MATH MANIPULATIVES IF THEY ARE IN THE CONCRETE STAGE OF LEARNING. BOOKMARK A WEBSITE WITH THE LETTER SOUNDS FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLE TO REMEMBER THEM. ON CHROME, YOU JUST CLICK THE STAR NEXT TO THE WEBSITE LINK. TA DA! TECHNOLOGY TIP #4 STUDENTS LOVE VISUAL REPRESENTATIONS, AND TECH IS AN EASY WAY TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF REPRESENTATIONS. CONSIDER HOW YOU CAN USE TECHNOLOGY TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS AND INCLUDE MORE THAN ONE OF THE FIVE SENSES IN YOUR LESSON. ONLINE THERE ARE MILLIONS OF WEBSITES. GOOGLE WHAT YOU NEED AND ADD “SITE:.EDU” IF YOU WANT TO ENSURE IT'S FROM AN EDUCATIONAL WEBSITE. FOR EXAMPLE, SEARCH: “HERBIVORE DINOSAURS SITE:.EDU” AND ALL THE SEARCH OPTIONS WILL BE FROM Happy Clicking!!!EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. PAGE |25

FIVE TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR BY DR. SHONA SANDLIN, NBCT IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN, BACK 3. ESTABLISH AN INFORMATION SYSTEM. THIS TIP TO SCHOOL! FIRST, BREATHE THIS YEAR IS RELATED TO OUR SECOND TIP, BUT IT’S WILL BE EXCITING, FOR ONE REASON OR IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO STAND OUT ON ITS OWN. ANOTHER. SECONDLY, WE HAVE YOU HOW WILL STUDENTS GET ANSWERS TO THEIR COVERED WITH FIVE TIPS FOR A QUESTIONS? YOU CANNOT BE ALL THINGS TO SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR. EVERYBODY SO IT’S IMPORTANT TO ESTABLISH SOME HELP. THIS HELP CAN COME FROM THE 1. YOUR CLASSROOM IS YOURS! MAKE SURE PHYSICAL CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT, OTHER THAT IT IS THE PLACE THAT YOU WANT TO BE. STUDENTS, AND A WAITING SYSTEM TO GET YOU PERSONALIZE THE SPACE WITH PICTURES, YOUR DIRECTLY. IN YOUR PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, YOU FAVORITE COLORS, OR TOKENS THAT REMIND MIGHT HAVE A BULLETIN BOARD OR A 3-RING YOU OF GREAT EXPERIENCES THAT YOU MAY BINDER THAT LISTS ALL OF THE HOMEWORK HAVE HAD. THIS CAN BE A SMALL CORNER OF ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK. WHEN STUDENTS THE ROOM NEAR YOUR DESK, OR A GETTING TO ARE ABSENT WHEN THEY RETURN THEY MAY GO KNOW ME BULLETIN BOARD THAT REFLECTS TO THE HOMEWORK AREA AND GET THE DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS OF YOU AS A HOMEWORK INFORMATION WITHOUT HAVING TO TEACHER. MAKING YOUR SPACE PERSONABLE BREAK A STRIDE. WILL INVITE STUDENTS TO BE PERSONABLE WITH YOU AS WELL. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS “ASK THREE BEFORE ME!” THIS ADAGE SETS THE IS PARAMOUNT TO EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION. STAGE TO REQUIRE THE STUDENTS TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN THEIR LEARNING AND 2. KNOW HOW YOU WANT THINGS DONE! TAKE UNDERSTANDING BEFORE THEY SOLICIT THE THE TIME TO ESTABLISH RULES AND TEACHER FOR HELP. THE ARCHITECT OF PROCEDURES FOR YOUR CLASS ON DAY 1. IT IS ACCOMPLISHED TEACHING ILLUSTRATES THAT IMPORTANT TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO BE A PART EFFECTIVE TEACHERS MANAGE AND MONITOR OF THE CREATION OF THE CLASS RULES, BUT STUDENT LEARNING. THE RED CUP GREEN CUP YOU MUST HAVE SOME ESTABLISHED BEFORE STRATEGY SUPPORTS THE MANAGEMENT AND THE STUDENTS WALK THROUGH YOUR DOOR. MONITORING APPROACH. WHEN WORKING IN HOW DO YOU WANT THEM TO COME INTO YOUR GROUPS, THE STUDENTS WILL HAVE TWO CUPS, CLASS? WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO DO AS WITH THE GREEN CUP ON TOP OF THE RED CUP. SOON AS THEY SIT DOWN? WHERE DO YOU IN A GROUP OF FOUR, THREE OF THE FOUR WANT THEM TO PUT THEIR HOMEWORK? THESE STUDENTS HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME QUESTION ARE SOME GREAT STARTER QUESTIONS TO GET BEFORE THEY CAN SWITCH THE TOP CUP TO RED. YOU THINKING ABOUT WHAT RULES AND THE TEACHER WILL GO THEN GO TO THE GROUP PROCEDURES ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU. DURING OF STUDENTS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THEIR ONE OF YOUR PRE-SERVICE DAYS TAKE THE QUESTIONS. TIME TO WALK THROUGH THE PROCEDURES THAT YOU HAVE CREATED JUST TO SEE HOW PAGE |26 THEY WORK IN YOUR PHYSICAL SPACE.

FIVE TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR BY DR. SHONA SANDLIN, NBCT TEACHERS CAN USE THIS APPROACH TO ALSO 5. TAKE A BREATHER! THE BEGINNING OF REFLECT ON THE CLARITY OF THEIR SCHOOL CAN BE A WHIRLWIND OF EXCITEMENT, INSTRUCTION, IF MOST CUPS ARE GREEN, THEN MOVEMENT, CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND THE DIRECTIONS WERE CLEAR AND STUDENTS REWARDS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY GROUNDED UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS. IF MOST OF THE SO THAT YOU CAN BE BALANCED IN CUPS ARE RED, THEN THE STUDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING ALL THAT THIS SCHOOL YEAR UNCLEAR OR DO NOT HAVE A FIRM GRASP OF THE HAS TO OFFER. TO STAY GROUNDED, CONSIDER CONTENT. ACCOMPLISHED TEACHERS ARE INCORPORATING BREATHING EXERCISES, FIVE- PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE IN THEIR MINUTE MEDITATIONS, AND CHAIR YOGA. MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES. WELLNESS AND BALANCE IS ESSENTIAL TO HAVING A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR. ESTABLISHING 4. FIND A BUDDY! DON’T LEARN ALONE. MAKE A A MINDFULNESS ROUTINE EARLY CAN SOLIDIFY GOAL TO LEARN HOW TO USE A TECHNIQUE, YOUR PRACTICES SO THAT THEY WILL BE LIKE EQUIPMENT, STUDENT ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY, SECOND NATURE WHEN A CIRCUMSTANCE ETC., FROM SOMEONE ELSE IN YOUR BUILDING. REQUIRES YOU TO STAY GROUNDED AND PRACTICE THE TECHNIQUE CONSISTENTLY AT RESPOND TO A SITUATION. YOU CAN FIND AN LEAST NINE TIMES WITHOUT GIVING UP. THIS ARRAY OF MINDFULNESS VIDEOS, MEDITATION, WILL IMPROVE YOUR PRACTICE AND EXPAND CHAIR YOGA, AND BREATHING VIDEOS ON YOUR TEACHING TOOL KIT. SET A GOAL TO LEARN YOUTUBE. TAKE A DEEP SIGH OF RELIEF! YOU FROM AT LEAST ONE NEW PERSON PER QUARTER. WILL REST WELL KNOWING THAT YOU ARE THE FIFTH PROPOSITION, OF THE NATIONAL PREPARED TO HAVE A DYNAMITE YEAR! BOARD PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STANDARDS FIVE CORE PROPOSITIONS, STATES THAT DO YOU HAVE A SUCCESSFUL YEAR TIP? SHARE IT TEACHERS ARE MEMBERS OF THE LEARNING WITH US VIA TWITTER: @MSSANDLIN_ED, COMMUNITY. WHEN TEACHERS LEARN TOGETHER @PGCPSNBCT1, #PGCPSTOPFIVE, THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE THEIR PRACTICES PRECISE AND POSITIVELY INFLUENCE #FIVEFORSUCCESS, #PGCPSNBCT STUDENT LEARNING. PAGE |27



BEHIND THE SCENE KENDRA GATTO, NBCT EILEEN BUREANO, NBCT KENDRA HAS 32 YEARS OF DR. TAMALA STUCKEY, NBCT EXPERIENCE. A READING SPECIALIST WHO WORKS WITH ADEBISI BABAYEMI, NBCT ADVANCED AND STRUGGLING READERS AT THE ELEMENTARY ADEBISI WORKS AS AN ESOL LEVEL. SHE EARNED HER TEACHER, GREEN SCHOOL NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION COORDINATOR, GREEN LEADER, FOR LITERACY IN 2010 AND AND AN ESOL DEPARTMENT RENEWED HER CERTIFICATION IN CHAIR. ALSO A PRAXIS TUTOR, AN 2019. SERVES AS AN NBCT NBCT MENTOR, AND AN NBCT MENTOR AND COHORT LEADER. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING KENDRA ENJOYS READING, THE FACILITATOR. BEACH, AND SPENDING TIME WITH HER HUSBAND AND TWO LATANYA S. SOTHERN, NBCT CHILDREN. LATANYA S. SOTHERN HAS BEEN THE MBULWA MUSYOKI, NBCT PRINCIPAL OF EXCEL ACADEMY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL FOR FOUR RHONDA OWENS, NBCT YEARS AND IS A PASSIONATE SUPPORTER OF CHILDREN AND SENETRIA BLOCKER, NBCT ENSURING EQUITY IN EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS. SHE HAS BEEN SENETRIA BLOCKER IS A NATIONAL WITH PGCPS FOR OVER 25 YEARS, BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHER CERTIFIED AS AN NBCT EARLY CERTIFYING IN LITERACY: CHILDHOOD GENERALIST IN 2010, READING-LANGUAGE ARTS/EARLY AND RENEWED IN 2020. AND MIDDLE CHILDHOOD INITIALLY IN 2011 AND RENEWING IN 2020. COLLEEN ECCLES, NBCT OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING PRIMARILY IN COLLEEN ECCLES IS A MENTOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AS A TEACHER IN THE OFFICE OF CLASSROOM TEACHER AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND READING SPECIALIST. MS. LEADERSHIP. SHE IS IN HER 16TH BLOCKER CURRENTLY SERVES AS YEAR IN PGCPS, INITIALLY AN OPLL MENTOR TEACHER. SERVING IN THE ROLE OF MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER TALITHA SIMEONA AND NOW SERVING AS A MENTOR STEWART, NBCT TEACHER. HER FAVORITE HISTORICAL FIGURE IS MARY ANN TALITHA WORKS IN A ROLE THAT SHADD CARY. INCORPORATES MENTORING AND COACHING NOVICE TEACHERS, NATIONAL BOARD PROFESSIONAL. FOR TEACHER CANDIDATES AND TEACHERS NEW TO THE DISTRICT, TALITHA IS PASSIONATE ABOUT STRENGTHS COACHING AND HELPING OTHERS TO DISCOVER AND MAXIMIZE THEIR TALENT AREAS FOR CAREER AND LIFE SUCCESS! PAGE |29

BEHIND THE SCENE DR. RAINYA P. MILLER, NBCT DAVLYN HOLLIE, NBCT DR. MILLER SERVES AS THE DAVLYN HOLLIE IS IN HER 6TH YEAR NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED OF TEACHING MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL TEACHER PROGRAM STUDIES IN PGCPS. SHE IS A PROUD INSTRUCTIONAL COORDINATOR GRADUATE OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY FOR PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS. SHE HAS 26 PENNSYLVANIA. HER FAVORITE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE HISTORICAL FIGURE IS SADIE TANNER CAPACITY OF TEACHER: HEAD MOSSELL ALEXANDER.L. START, PRESCHOOL, KINDERGARTEN, FIRST GRADE, LATONYA WRIGHT-ROBERT, AND CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL ED.D. DEVELOPMENT LIAISON, NON-PDS COORDINATOR, AND DR. WRIGHT HAS BEEN AN EDUCATOR INSTRUCTIONAL COORDINATOR. IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR 22 YEARS. PRIVILEGED DR. SAMANTHA BARDOE, NBCT TO WORK WITH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN A VARIETY OF K-12 DR. BARDOE CERTIFIED AS AN SETTINGS. CURRENTLY THE PRINCIPAL EARLY CHILDHOOD GENERALIST OF TAYAC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. IN 2018. TEACHES PRE- TRULY PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING KINDERGARTEN AND IS IN HER STUDENTS REACH THEIR POTENTIAL. TENTH YEAR OF TEACHING. SAMANTHA IS PASSIONATE AVALIN CUMBERLAND, ED.D. ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD LITERACY AND SUPPORTING DR. CUMBERLAND IS AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS. EDUCATOR FOR 20 YEARS. SHE ENJOYS SPENDING TIME CLASSROOM TEACHER, READING HIKING WITH HER FAMILY, SPECIALIST, AND INSTRUCTIONAL TRYING TO GROW VEGETABLES IN LEAD TEACHER. CURRENTLY THE HER GARDEN, AND WATCHING ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT TAYAC HER SON FIGURE SKATE. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. JESSICA OLFUS, NBCT DR. SHONA SANDLIN, NBCT JESSICA OLFUS IS AN ENGLISH DR. SANDLIN HAS 20 YEARS OF LANGUAGE TEACHER FOR SPEAKERS EXPERIENCE AS AN EDUCATOR, OF OTHER LANGUAGES. SHE HAS LEADER, AND PROFESSIONAL TAUGHT IN HER HOMETOWN DEVELOPMENT FACILITATOR. DISTRICT IN MARYLAND FOR THE CURRENTLY A MENTOR TEACHER LAST DECADE. SHE HAS A MASTER'S IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY IN TEACHING ENGLISH AND IS A PUBLIC SCHOOLS. SHONA LOVES NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED SUPPORTING, ENCOURAGING, AND TEACHER. SHE ENJOYS MENTORING MAXIMIZING OTHERS TO SEE THE TEACHERS AND LEARNING FROM GREATNESS THAT THEY ARE HER DIVERSE STUDENTS. DESTINED FOR.

CONSORTIUM EDITORIAL DIRECTOR / DR. RAINYA P. MILLER, NBCT EDITOR IN CHIEF / SENETRIA BLOCKER, ME.D., NBCT MANAGING EDITOR / TALITHA SIMEONA STEWART, NBCT CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS / KATRECA KNEALE / SENETRIA BLOCKER, NBCT / THOMAS PIERRE, NBCT / DR. RAINYA P. MILLER, NBCT AVAILABLE IN MARYLAND/DISTRICT OF ANVEGETDTHAMUHZEBCEIEAHNCRTOELOLIAWSRI SDSSI SLUAARLEYONFLODOOEFMCATUC,IRPOSSNSENIOLNSFNGOOF R TI UM C Y G COLUMBIA/VIRGINIA/ONLINE L IT ERA G IN CONTACT US O R R I D B 6139 OXON HILL ROAD #1156 R OXON HILL, MD 20745 G A P 240-685-6870 [email protected] NO M I SUBMISSIONS PLEASE SEND ALL ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS TO: [email protected]