Our Splash Orientations kicked off this summer with both online and face-to-face (pictured) version of the sessions.  These orientations are designed to set a solid foundation for all candidates by helping them understand the process, and to become familiar with and access the tools and resources available.  We have one more online orientation scheduled this month and will be scheduling more for September and October soon. 

For information or to register, visit the Splash Start Orientation page.

California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson sent a letter to district superintendents throughout the states urging them to promote National Board Certification among their teaching staffs.  In the letter, Torlakson expressed his hope that superintendents "will work to increase the number of candidates in [districts] and publicize the variety of support that is available for teachers throughout the state."  Please check out the full letter here and pass it along to interested candidates!

Summer Splash Orientations have started this month.  These orientations are available face-to-face at our National University headquarters in La Jolla, or online through our webinars.  Splash Start Orientations are designed to provide a foundation for all active National Board candidates in order to ensure your success through the certification process.  We provide orientation for full active candidates, Take One! candidates, and principal certification candidates.  The orientation includes:

• An Introduction to the National University Professional Teaching Development Center, Network Affiliates, and service options (NUPTDC)
• An Introduction to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and website
  
• Overview of the National Board Certification Process: certificates, instructions, assessments, timelines, tips
  
• Orientation to the NUPTDC Candidate Support Online System (CSOS)
  
• Assignments and Tools for Success
• Requirements for receiving NUPTDC candidate support
  

An online Splash Task module is also  required for any candidates who would like to be assigned a Candidate Support Provider and to receive available fee support. 

For information about these events, visit our Splash Orientation page.

The annual NUPTDC NBCT Reception took place on Saturday, June 9.  Newly certified NBCTs, renewed NBCTs, and NBCT candidates were honored for their participation in the National Board process.  NUPTDC Director Rae Adams led the event, which included a variety of inspirational speakers.

Dr. Ken Fawson, Interim Dean of the National University School of Education, led off the speakers by welcoming all of those in attendance.  He was followed by Daneka Goodwin, representative for Congresswoman Susan Davis (53rd District), who spoke on behalf of the Congresswoman in honoring the NBCTs present with special certificates.  Then newly certified NBCT Chrisi Van Wyhe (AYA ELA) spoke about the impact becoming an NBCT has had on her teaching and her work in encouraging her district to incorporate the process into its staff development plans.  NBCT candidate Mardel Backes (EA ELA) then spoke about the challenges she faced and overcame through the portfolio development process--motivation for all those who think the NB process is too much of a challenge.  Next, Dr. Lynne Anderson, lead faculty for the NU School of Education, spoke of her partnership with the NUPTDC in supporting her pre-service candidates.  NBCT candidates Armand Amoranto and David Fogliatti (AYA Science) then shared a video about an iPad and Moodle LMS implementation project that they worked on during the past year and discussed how they incorporated the project into their portfolio process. 

Next, NBCTs from several school districts explained how the partnership with NUPTDC was helping their districts increase NBCTs and/or support staff development efforts.  Dr. Staci Block shared how her school, Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts, was using Take One! as a staff development focus.  Phoebe Manso, from Compton USD, and Sean McCarthy, from Murrieta Valley USD, both discussed the dramatic increase in the number of district NBCTs as a result of the NUPTDC partnership efforts.  Joanna Murray shared how Vista USD's work with NUPTDC resulted in a dramatic number of new NBCT and Take One! candidates.  Finally, Melanie Sutton, who traveled all the way from Alaska, explained how the NUPTDC MAT program, which integrates the NB portfolio process, was providing a great incentive and support opportunity for NBCT candidates from the Anchorage School District.

Two representatives from NBPTS concluded the speaker presentations.  DIrector of NBCT Engagement Andrea Hajek explored how well NUPTDC initiatives and efforts aligned with NBPTS goals.  NBPTS Board Member, Dr. Kathy Wiebke, who also produced and directed the film Mitchell 20, shared the importance of continuing to support and promote National Board Certification in light of the many challenges facing educators in today's world. 

The highlight of the evening then commenced: honoring the renewed NBCTs, newly certified NBCTs and candidates.  Each group introduced themselves and their area of candidacy, along with a word or phrase that described their NB experience.  They were then given certificates, pins, and gift bags, followed by a group picture as the audience applauded their efforts.

View the slide show below for pictures from the event.

The 2012 NUPTDC Symposium took place from Friday, June 8 through Sunday, June 10, gathering stakeholders from around the nation.  Participants included National Board Certified Teachers(NBCTs), NBCT candidates, pre-service teachers, National University faculty and leadership, NBPTS representatives, and representatives from our partner districts and organizations.  Check out the slideshow below for pictures from the various events.

On Monday, June 5, NUPTDC Program Director Rae Adams officially became "Nana Rae."  Jackson Bradley Adams was born, in the words of an extremely proud nana, "healthy...beautiful...all good!"  Rae reacted with her characteristic calmness and composure.  Considering Rae's expertise in "mothering" all of her NBCT friends, colleagues, and candidates, we are confident that baby Jackson will be in very good hands with Nana...and extraordinarily spoiled!

The 2012 NUPTDC Symposium and Reception is officially underway!  National University President Patricia Potter started the event by welcoming attendees to university headquarters.  Following and introduction of participants, Program Director Rae Adams then kick-started the first day of the symposium with her Pathway of Distinction presentation.

Will you be here?  There is still time to RSVP for the Reception Saturday evening and Future Teacher event on Sunday. Go to the Reception page to reserve your place.

The newly appointed President of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Dr. Ronald Thorpe, will travel to National University headquarters in La Jolla to meet with the NUPTDC NBCT Alliance of Distinguished Educators on Friday, June 8, 11-3pm.

This will be an opportunity to share achievements and initiatives generated by the National University School of Education NBCT Professional Teaching and Leadership Development Center and our NBCT school district leaders.
NUPTDC stakeholders, including faculty members and Candidate Support Providers, will have an opportunity to interact with President Thorpe as we demonstrate and offer support  from our community of P20 NBCT educators to accelerate progress in providing a National Board Certified Teacher/Principal for every student in the country and in alignment with key state and national reform initiatives.

President Thorpe will not be able to attend the Saturday and Sunday events. The Friday, “Meet the President”  session is designed for colleagues who collaborate with the NUPTDC NBCT Alliance of Distinguished Educators.  If you would like to attend, please contact NUPTDC Director Rae Adams.

The 2012 NBCT Reception will take place on Saturday, June 9, from 5:00-8:00pm at the National University headquarters in San Diego.  Enjoy an evening of relaxation, presentations and appetizers in the company of accomplished educators and guests who share in their commitment to provide schools and students with highly effective teachers and principals who impact student achievement. 

For more information about this event and to RSVP, visit our 2012 Reception page.

NUPTDC will host an Assessment Center Training webinar on Tuesday, May 1, at 6pm Pacific.  This webinar is designed to replicate the face-to-face training that took place at NUPTDC headquarters on April 21.

Please RSVP for this session by emailing Sean McCarthy.  You will receive a link and access instructions.  eCoach members can access the session through the eCoach "Webinar" tab.

We recommend that all candidates download and read the Assessment Center Policies and Guidelines, and  that candidates who plan to attend the webinar session download the following certificate-specific documents ahead of time:

• Assessments at a Glance
• Scoring Guide for Candidates (be sure you have the Scoring Rubrics for the Assessment Center Exercises)
  
• Standards

If you are unable to attend this session, a video archive along with  all the resources presented are also available in eCoach.