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Disappointed but determinedCecelia Schliepp, who fell just shy of earning certification, will try again |
Dear Friends,
Remember the article I wrote last month about pursuing National Board Certification? I’d grown so much through the process, putting together six portfolio entries and enduring the Assessment Center exercises, and I was anxiously awaiting my scores.
Well, friends, I got my scores. I missed certification by 8 points. Ouch. I can’t believe the letter didn’t burst into flames as I read,
“I regret that your performance did not meet the standard. The NBPTS board of directors and staff join me in commending you for your professionalism in voluntarily undertaking this challenge, for your commitment to teaching and its improvement, and most of all, for your willingness to participate in this pioneering initiative to improve American education.”
Pioneering initiative? Augghhhh…I hate being a pioneer!
First, I got angry. I thought everything was perfect when I submitted my portfolio – how could I have not met the standard? There has to be something wrong with the process.
Then I got sad. I can’t do this anymore. Like a disillusioned pioneer woman I broke down and cried because for a moment I had lost part of my dream.
Then I started to bargain and rationalize. What if they made a mistake? Can I appeal? Didn’t John F. Kennedy Jr. fail the bar exam to become a lawyer twice? What is this application for resubmission all about?
Then I reached a resolution. I’m so close; I don’t have to start all over again. I can resubmit any individual entry in the portfolio or retake an Assessment Center exercise to meet the standard set by the NBPTS. After coming this far, Cecelia, you can’t give up.
I am choosing to continue my journey. The NBPTS automatically banks a candidate’s scores for three years. A fee of $275 is assessed for each area that a candidate chooses to resubmit or retake. I’m going to resubmit a portfolio entry and/or retake one of the written assessments. I thought I’d be watching tulips come up in the spring, but the wagon master in my head is hollerin’ “Pack the wagon, Cecelia. We’re heading west again!”
Finally, I am so proud of the other Wisconsin teachers who attempted this process. For those who didn’t make it this time, let’s circle the wagons. We’ve got a broken spoke or two but we’ll make it next time. Don’t give up.
For my friends who were successful – Jayne Heffron, Karla Mullen, Maryanne Frawley, Linda Reetz, Robert Hetzel, Catherine Anderson, Karla Jenkins, and Mary Carol Kellogg – I have an immeasurable amount of respect for you. You are to be commended for your professionalism, commitment to teaching and its improvement, and most of all for your pioneer spirit.
It’s hard work being a pioneer. Congratulations on your journey. I’ll see you next fall.
Yours truly,
Cecelia Schliepp
NBPTS Candidate
cschliepp@hotmail.com
Posted November 22, 1999
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