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Celebrating teaching's gold standard
December 9, 2004 Debbie DeVito For Debbie DeVito, earning National Board Certification was one of the most difficult tasks she's completed to date. "It was equivalent to doing a doctoral program," said DeVito, a Title I math teacher and member of the Yonkers Federation of Teachers. "It does shake the cobwebs out of one's lesson plans and forces one to strive to do more than their best if at all possible," said Patricia Puleo, a high school art teacher and YFT vice president. "It pushes the limits of a seasoned teacher." DeVito and Puleo supported each other through the process and this year joined 81 New York teachers to earn the prestigious credential from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. At a December news conference at New York State United Teachers headquarters in Latham, Second Vice President Maria Neira congratulated the newest crop of achievers. "Numerous studies show that board-certified teachers add value to their classrooms," said Neira. "You represent the gold standard of teaching excellence. But most of all you enrich your classrooms and your students." National certification — a voluntary process developed by teachers building on a concept from the late Al Shanker, a NYSUT pioneer — focuses on knowledge, performance and professional judgment. Candidates spend hundreds of hours documenting and evaluating their teaching and must complete several written exercises. The NBPTS offers 10-year certificates in 27 subject/age areas. "I saw things in my teaching that I didn't know were there," said Lori Megivern, a high school social studies teacher. "Some have been corrected and some I'm proud of." Megivern, who could have retired in June, became the first teacher in Cortland County to earn board certification. "Things like this make me feel young." Many districts around the state are recognizing the achievement; 65 NYSUT locals have negotiated incentives with their districts. In Shenendehowa, Saratoga County , candidates receive $200 from the union to complete the video portion of their certification application. "The union also gave us gift cards to use at the end of the process so we could spend time with our families and not have to cook," said newly certified Laurie Valenti, an elementary music teacher. The Shenendehowa TA is led by Christine Koblensky. After achieving certification, teachers may opt for a one-time lump sum or a step on the salary scale. Since 1994, more than 40,200 teachers nationally have become board certified — compared to 497 here in New York . "We trail states like North Carolina and Ohio that provide incentives," noted Neira. Several years ago, NYSUT pushed for a law creating the state-funded Albert Shanker Grant and Candidate Subsidy Fee programs. The statewide union assists candidates with advice, online discussion forums and professional development through its Education and Learning Trust. Kathryn Fagan, a French teacher from the Schalmont TA in Schenectady County , said the process changed her view of teaching: "I'm not the most important person in the classroom; my students are. I used to value having deep knowledge of my subject matter. Now I see it's more important to open the minds and hearts of my students." — Clarisse Butler |
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