From Reluctant Teacher to Passionate Advocate: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Written By: Pinky Grace Francisco – Big Island, Hawaii Fourteen years… each year is a tapestry of nostalgic memories…a kaleidoscope of mixed emotions—bittersweet experiences, silent screams, flashes of cold fire, moments of shattered peace…a journey of joy and sorrow, failure and triumph, stepping forward and stepping back, procrastination and growth, and endless discovery of myself…
The Lasting Impact of National Board Certification on Educational Leadership
Written By: Jennifer Brown, NBCT – Corpus Christi, Texas As I talk to teachers in my district and around the area about the NBCT program, they tell me they won’t stay in the classroom but plan to move into administration. I tell them, “That’s perfect! That is another great reason to become an NBCT. Let…
Neurodivergent Did Not End my Teaching Career
By: Ginny Warner, NBCT – North Carolina The path to understanding my own neurodivergence was a winding one, a journey marked by subtle inconsistencies and delayed realizations. As a child, the world felt slightly out of sync. Occupational therapy became a familiar companion, aiding me in navigating the challenges of fine motor skills, particularly the…
Bridging Dreams and Reality: Advocating for Undocumented High School Graduates
By: Maria Derner, NBCT – Belton, Missouri In this great nation of boundless opportunities, I have had the privilege of instructing a group of young dreamers for several years. These resilient, gifted, and compassionate students have profoundly enriched my experience as an educator. Yet, despite their dedication and excellence, they face a devastating dilemma: the…
Endings Help to Create Beautiful Beginnings
By: Zakiyyah Omar, NBCT – North Carolina "Sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful." This quote by Beau Taplin resonates deeply with me as a National Board Certified school counselor. It is a constant reminder to approach the end of every counseling relationship, group session, and social-emotional lesson with intentionality and grace. As school…
Neurospicy: A Seasoning for the Soul
By Mechelle Gilford, Ed.S., NBCT https://www.nbpts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Gilford-Neurospicy-Article-for-National-Board.mp3 Let’s face it: being a neurodivergent teacher in a neurotypical world sometimes feels like navigating a grocery store with a map to the moon—a bit of a wild goose chase, but hey, at least it’s an adventure! Think of neurodiversity as the secret ingredient that makes the…
Shaping the Future: An NBCT’s Reflections on Student-Centered Education
By Jessica Malloy, NBCT – Las Vegas, Nevada Although the National Board journey made me break into shingles, I would endure all the stress again in a heartbeat. This process stretched my mind, refocused my teaching pedagogy, and opened my heart. The Five Core Propositions challenged me to focus on my students. It taught me…
Improving Physical Literacy
By David Mills, NBCT – Owensboro, Kentucky As a physical education teacher, I aim to develop physically literate students. A physically literate student possesses the knowledge, competence, confidence, and motivation to participate in various physical activities to improve their overall health and wellness. Physical literacy is about more than just fundamental motor skills. It also…
Art Therapy with a Dash of AI for Our Visually Spectacular Students
By Mechelle Gilford, NBCT – South Bend, Indiana Ah, the magic of our classrooms! Where curious minds explore, imaginations take flight, and sometimes the most significant challenges morph into shimmering opportunities. Today, we’ll delve into the world of art therapy for our visually spectacular students – those brilliant young minds navigating the world with a…
