2 Comments

1. Mrs. Chili says:

   January 25, 2012 at 7:15 pm

   Talk to me about national certification, please; I’m considering it, too…

   Reply
   • Chris Wondra says:

     January 26, 2012 at 9:16 am

     Hi Mrs. Chilli,

     I was going to email you but I thought a little public back and forth on this topic might also help others thinking of this. Here’s what I know:

     1) There are a number of certification areas (social studies, math, general). I teach 8th grade Language Arts, so the certification I would choose would be “ELA young adolescent”

     2) It looks quite rigorous, and to be honest, I’m a bit intimidated. In short, you must produce 4 portfolios and take six, 30-minute timed essay tests. The other day I printed out a 2″ binder FULL of standards and requirements and stuff to wade through.

     3) Cost = $2,500

     4) Timeline: They explain a 3 year timeline. But it basically looks like a person can do the work for it in 1 year. The rest of the time, they allow for re-taking of tests or re-doing portfolios you may have not scored high enough on the first time around. Plus it looks like it takes a long time for your materials to be scored.

     5) Benefits: As far as money goes, it varies from state to state. Wisconsin also ties it in some way to the re-certification process. The prestige thing? You know–if your into that kind of thing. I’ve talked to someone who just completed hers a couple of years ago and she said that it was the best thing she’s ever done. The process REALLY changed her approach to teaching. This woman has agreed to mentor me–which will be a huge help if I decide to go ahead.

     I’m looking at this from the perspective of an 8th grade public school teacher in Wisconsin. My understanding is that you are a college teacher, though, right? Not sure how far along you are in considering this, but check out this link to help you decide on a certification area: http://bit.ly/A9bV5W . For you, I’d guess maybe it would be, “English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood” But that’s only a guess.

     Okay, so now quid pro quo. Why are you considering it?

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