The New Norm

This past Saturday, I attended a NBCT Leadership Institute...and it was just so inspiring.  Truly.

As I sat there, I concluded that the greatest take-away from this day was the reminder that this is the reason I am who I am.  Over the past decade, I have changed so much to fit into my district that I often wonder if the "real" me still exists.  Then, I attend such a meeting as this one, and those former beliefs and convictions arise again.

Let's pause here; shall we?  Has the last decade been "bad"?  No.  Not all of it.  In many ways, my teaching style has grown, evolved.  But...I do miss myself from time to time...that teacher I want to be, that teacher I thought I would one day be.  But...alas, obviously that was just not meant to be.

Yet...attending such meetings as those hosted by professional organizations offers one time to reflect, to grow, to emulate what the best in the field are implementing.  To listen first hand to leaders, sharing current trends and energizing those present, makes me hungry for more such gatherings.  (We attend few of these within our district as all of our professional development is provided in-house.)

As I sat there, I concluded also that I have failed to encourage my peers to become National Board Certified Teachers.  Then and there, texts began to fly, the first two immediately responding that, yes, this is the year for them.

Then, one of those ideas that just come from nowhere, but somewhere, popped into the brain.  What if ATNBC (Arkansas Teachers for National Board Certification) "borrowed" an idea from Arkansas Reading Association (another organization I enjoy) and supported a local county meeting of NBCT's once or twice a year to disseminate updates and to rally those thinking about going through the process?  Why not!

Why am I a NBCT?  I like that sense of professionalism, of belonging to a group of ever growing peers who have "achieved."  The most significant outcome of my having become certified was and continues to be the depth of reflection that this process encourages, thereby, inspiring me to be ever learning.

I have said...every teacher should have to complete the portfolio entries that focus on student achievement and professionalism.  Those two alone would revolutionize how teachers view themselves...and how others view this field.

Soooo...yesterday, I began gathering a list of NBCT's in our county...going to spread a bit of this inspiration!