Conversations with Educators

A+ is pleased to present a conversation with Lisa Meeks. Lisa is a teacher at Baker Elementary School. She was awarded NBPTS Certification (Middle Childhood Generalist) in 1997.

What do you believe is the importance of board certification in developing teaching as a profession in the nation and Alabama specifically?

Part of the mission of the National Board is to establish high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. Parents send their priceless gifts to school every day, and these children deserve and require teachers who consistently apply these standards in the educational environment.

To command respect, financial support, and trust from the overwhelming majority of the public, citizens must be confident that they are investing their time and money in schools that employ exemplary teachers. Educators who become Nationally Board Certified clearly show the public that they are very dedicated to the profession and have the passion and knowledge to help foster life-long learners.

What do you feel is the impact of National Board Certification on student learning?

Educators who complete the certification process are required to take an in-depth look at how and to what degree the standards established by the National Board are being implemented in their classroom. Ensuring that these standards are consistently applied to everything we do as teachers facilitates a learning environment for children that is stimulating, gives students more responsibility for their own learning, is challenging, and offers varied instructional resources.

How has the process changed your perspective of teaching?

By completing the certification process, I am more cognizant of the need to constantly seeking a clearer understanding of the special needs every learner brings to the classroom. Increasing knowledge of my students has helped to further my goal of helping to create a learning environment where students collaborate to achieve success, cooperate to solve problems, and contribute to the success of their classroom.

What suggestions would you offer to others going through the process?

If you are attempting the certification process, you are clearly an educator who sees teaching as much more than a profession. It is your passion. Keep this in mind as you spend countless hours completing the requirements for certification. Everything you do as you complete the process will in some way enhance your abilities as a teacher. As an accomplished teacher, I'm certain that becoming the VERY best that you can be is one of your personal goals.

Collaborate with someone else who is going through the process (even if this has to be done through E-Mail). Be prepared to put everything else in your life on hold for a few months. Preparing to do so in advance will help to eliminate stress. Build long time frames into your schedule to work on your portfolio. You need large chunks of time to get your thought processes in action for what you are required to do. Ask your principal for some release time. You will need it.

What impact will NBPTS have in Alabama?

I think basing evaluation standards on the NBPTS will raise parents', administrators', and the publics' expectations of teachers. When teachers prove that they can achieve these expectations, they will receive increased support. This type of evaluation would offer teachers not only an evaluation program but also an opportunity for growth.