1. Professional Teacher Standards Commission AATF – Chicago – 2012 Adina Alexandru

2. The National Board Certification process is the best professional development experience I’ve ever had. 2 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

3. 2012 - updated NBPTS map

4. NBPTS by year http://www.nbpts.org/resources/nbct _directory/nbcts_by_year

5. Agenda  The Basics  Benefits for the AATF  Concrete product of the commission  Commission’s objective  Our Experiences  Q & A

6. NBPTS – French - wiki http://wloe-nbpts.wikispaces.com/

7. Commission structure Starting with 2012 the goal of this commission is to bridge a solid connection between the (current or future) teachers of French interested in meeting professional state and national standards and the respective organizations that provide or facilitate such services. * We are always looking for new members! Let us know if you are interested in serving on this commission by sending an email to Adina Alexandru at grigore@comcast.net! grigore@comcast.net * The structure of the Commission is informal and open to all AATF members. In fact, we need contributions form experienced as well as inexperienced teachers of French. Generally the meetings are taking place virtually through the “GoToMeeting” platform.

8. Goals, objectives, projects, etc. that guide the commission's activities We are refocusing our work due to the current demands in our profession. We are soliciting input from the entire AATF membership, on how this commission can serve the needs of the French teachers nation-wide. What can we do for you that can make a difference and enrich your professional life? * A primary goal of this commission is to maintain a website where we can post updated information regarding the national standards requirements for NBPTS certification with a focus on French. This site will provide links to the existing state-approved foreign language teacher standards at the state level they pertain to NBPTS. We will also provide exemplary lesson plans and activities that are in line with the NBPTS guidelines specifically designed for French. * Publications: quarterly reports in the AATF National Bulletin regarding updates or changes in the process of becoming nationally certified in French. Feel free to participate in the NBPTS survey available on the commission’s website.

9. Future plans of the commission We need more French teachers seeking this type of certification. It is prestigious, it is rewarding, and it is giving you the status of a leader in the profession! * Currently, out of the six thousand teachers who acquired NBPTS certification in 2012 only 1% includes teachers of French!! * Nationwide, there are 97,000 NBPTS teachers and they constitute the leading force in education. You should be part of it!

10. How can the work of this commission be improved?  Keeping a current website  Publishing quarterly updates in the national bulletin  The website and the documents generated by this commission should be also accessible on the AATF website so that visitors can gain knowledge about the process of attaining national certification. National Board for Professional Teaching Standards10

11. Is the purpose of the commission adequately identified? Once we get the website going and collect the information from the survey, we will be able to find out the current concerns of our membership and we will adequately address their needs.

12. Additional comments For teachers who are interested in becoming NBPTS certified, this commission will provide guidance in the process of certification following the guidelines for beginning and completing the certification process. * For teachers who have already obtained certification in French, this commission will create the space to share practices that can guide future applicants through the complexities of acquiring NBPTS status. French is not only necessary for the global education of all students in the United States but it can become a concrete, valuable and dynamic asset for any graduate of private or public school who seeks to enter the workforce of the 21 st century.

13. Are you eligible to become NBPTS certified in French? To pursue NBPTS certification, you must…  Hold a bachelor’s degree  Have completed three full years of teaching/counseling experience  Possess a valid state teaching/counseling license for that period of time, or, if teaching where a license is not required, have taught in schools recognized and approved to operate by the state

14. Lessons in Self-Reflection: The Portfolio Four Portfolio Entries: 1.Designing Instruction over Time (22 pgs.) 2.Building Communicative and Cultural Competence (14 pgs. plus video) 3.Engaging All Learners(13 pgs. plus video) 4.Documented Accomplishments (28 pgs.)

15. NBPTS writing styles  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck0Lh Ty1YGg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck0Lh Ty1YGg National Board for Professional Teaching Standards15

17. Written Communication  You will be given a written prompt to which you will respond.  You will have 30 minutes to write a well- organized response, correctly using a variety of tenses and grammatical structures.  A good way to practice is to get retired AP prompts from AP Central and practice your timed writing.

18. Practice Writing… Describe the route you took to drive to Ardmore. Be very specific! Help someone else visualize your route in detail! * Explain why you took this route; talk about other options you had, and explain why this was your choice. * Now, write about what you’d do if you had to drive to Ardmore again. Explain why you’d make that decision.

19. The Home Stretch: The Exams You will take SIX exams:  Oral Proficiency  Interpreting Aural Texts  Interpreting Written Texts  Written Communication  Knowledge of Language Acquisition  Knowledge of How Language Works

20. It’s about the Five Core Propositions Are committed to students and their learning. Know the subjects they teach and how to teach them to students. Are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning. Think systematically about their practice and learn from experience. Are members of learning communities. Accomplished teachers … 20

21. Knowledge of How Language Works  You will be given a text that represents student work.  In it, there will be embedded 20 errors.  You must correct each error and why it is an error, suggesting what caused the student to make the error.

22. Four Portfolio Entries Demonstrate accomplished teaching Include videos of large- and small-group classroom practice Require student work samples Document continuous learning, leadership, and collaboration Six Assessment Center Exercises Demonstrate accomplished proficiency with subject matter Are delivered at a computer-based testing center Are timed, with open-response prompts Six Assessment Center Exercises Four Portfolio Entries The assessment

23. Portfolio Entries  #1 Designing Instruction Over Time  #2 Building Communicative and Cultural Competence  #3 Engaging All Learners  #4 Documented Accomplishments: Contributions To Student Learning

24. Example: #2 Building Communicative and Cultural Competence  A written Commentary of no more than 14 pages  A 15-minute videotape of you and your class during the period of instruction  All forms required for this entry

25. Focusing on the standards I. Knowledge of Students II. Fairness III. Knowledge of Language IV. Knowledge of Culture V. Knowledge of Language Acquisition VI. Multiple Paths to Learning VII. Articulation of Curriculum and Instruction VIII. Learning Environment IX. Instructional Resources X. Assessment XI. Reflection as Professional Growth XII. Schools, Families, and Communities XIII. Professional Community XIV. Advocacy for Education in World Languages Other than English

26. Timeline 26

27. The Process $65 application fee Initial $500 payment Start portfolio apply Eligibility forms Remaining $2000 balance submit Schedule your assessment center appointment make an appointment Portfolio Entries – postmark by March 31 Assessment Center Exercises – by June 15 submit planningcollectingdocumenting analyzing reflecting 27 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

28. For more information… You can contact me at: grigore@comcast.net grigore@comcast.net Commission’s web site: http://alexandrua.wikispaces.com/A ATF+-+Chicago+2012 http://alexandrua.wikispaces.com/A ATF+-+Chicago+2012 28 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards