Here's the deal for National Board teachers

Florida's National Board certified teachers will get their mentoring bonus for the work they've already done this year, House Schools and Learning Council chairman Joe Pickens (left) explained on the floor this afternoon during a lengthy education budget review.

They won't get the money - close to $5,000 - for next year or any other year while the state lacks the funding, Pickens said. "Next year, we are eliminating that program."

Also gone will be the state's support for teachers to apply to the certification program, again because of a dearth of resources. The primary goal of the Excellent Teaching initiative is to give a 10 percent bonus to teachers who earn the certification, Pickens said, and that's what the budget makers sought to preserve.

"The core of the Excellent Teaching bonus was the 10 percent bonus," Pickens said. "We kept the core."

Comments

[NBCteacher]

I am thankful that the Legislature did not cut my annual bonus. After all, that's the practical reason why a teacher puts himself or herself through that process. However, in addition to being an assessment of teacher effectiveness, the National Board Certification process was, for me, a deep and meaningful learning experience. I wish others would be able to go through this process, both for the financial and learning rewards. Sadly, without the state support of the application process (almost $3000), fewer and fewer teachers will complete this program. In addition, without the incentive for NBCTs to mentor, fewer will take the time to do so. This legislative action has just lowered the overall quality of education in this state. I sincerely hope that they consider re-instating it in future.

[teacher in Hillsborough]

this is very disappointing...

[Jessica]

I'm glad (and proud) that I achieved my certification last year. I'm also glad that I'm leaving the teaching profession this year after 10 years. What a nightmare the school system is for everyone involved.

[Judy]

I fully agree with Jessica. I'm leaving after 10 years also. But, it's not just about the Nat. Board fiasco. Our education in America must be analyzed and revised for us to maintain our suppposed lead in the world. I suggest that everyone in positions to "lay down the law" serve in the classroom for at least 3 months every 5 years. Let's let our rulers get a taste of what life is like in the classroom before they make the laws.

[NT]

It is about the time they cut it. The majority of NBC teachers in Florida were elementary teachers and we still have many students that come to highschool and cannot read. The mentroing program hours were a joke anyway.

[Paul in Florida]

Question: Does anyone here have any problem defining the phrase "lip service"? That's where people SWEAR up and down that they are COMMITTED to excellence in education and are CONCERNED that our children aren't getting the best teachers possible, and are OUTRAGED when unqualified teachers are in the classroom ~ yet when a program that promotes and rewards teaching professionals for their achievements, administrators and the taxpaying public allow these programs to be hacked out of the budget! That's LIP SERVICE!

Don't think it matters to you? By grade 4, American students only score in the middle of 26 countries reported. By grade 8 they are in the bottom third, and at the High School finish line, where it really counts, we're near dead last.

Think about THAT when all of the top jobs are being shipped OVERSEAS!

PAY OUR TEACHERS FOR EXCELLENCE!

Are you too embarrassed to write your name. I worked hard for my National Board Certification. How dare you say it is a joke!! Rebecca

Are you too embarrassed to write your name? I worked hard for my National Board Certification. How dare you say it is a joke!! Rebecca

[Paul in Florida]

Personal to NT ~ go back and check your typos and misspellings before you bag on teachers, OK? It kind of waters down your argument.

There isn't a single professional teacher in this country that is paid 1/4 of what their contributions to society is worth!

Before you ask, no, I'm not a teacher, but I'm a technical professional who's career was molded, shaped and enabled by many wonderful teachers who made it possible. The vast majority of them are worth their weight in gold.

It's shameful what teachers are paid in this country; but when I look at how our students are doing in the world, I see a direct correlation.

http://4brevard.com/choice/international-test-scores.htm

[D]

How is it the fault of a NBCT that a high school student can't read? Do some valid research before making that bold statement. I would be willing to bet my whole bonus check that the failing high school student didn't have even had 10% of his teachers be NBCTs. And you are teaching our children? God helps us all!

[John]

Other countries weed out the nonacademic students. We at least try to teach them. I agree that we have problems in American education but, we still send very capable students to schools like Harvard and Yale and MIT every year. Do you think these students learned on their own or were teachers involved. NBCT's at least have the recognition of a body of their peers that they are qualified.

[Tammy]

Just because you are an NBCT doesn't make you any better than the rest of us teachers. Don't blame the down fall of education on those teachers who have chosen not to become an NBCT. How about the accountability of the students and parents?? We all do our job now let's start holding parents and students responsible. I am not against NBCT getting their money. They worked hard for it and deserve it. But don't portray yourself to be better than us "regular" teachers. We work hard,too. I also agree with the comment that lawmakers need to step foot into our position before making any laws. I am ready for a new career. Many teachers are. We are tired of being robots. Let us just teach for goodness sake!!

[Paul in Florida]

I'll agree that NBCT doesn't automatically designate an educator as spectacularly effective or intellectually omnipotent. But it does indicate a high level of dedication and commitment to being a professional educator. It's true; A degree and a teaching credential will get you employment in the classroom; but it takes MORE than that to become a teacher in the true sense of the word. It means that the desire to educate others must run through your veins and permeate your soul. NBCT doesn’t measure that; it cant. But it does give a strong indication of the level of commitment to the teaching profession.

[Dena]

To the person who complained about elementary teachers not teaching kids how to read. Some of the worst teachers I had were in high school. Most of them taught straight from the textbook and then sat at their desks for the entire period. I did have some wonderful teachers in high school as well, but they were in the minority. My most memorable experiences of teachers came from elem. school. We do this job because we love children and the opportunity to give back to society. I am an elem. school teacher and a NBCT and proud to say that I do my job with integrity and joy. It's too bad that our legislators are cutting this wonderful program to help our teachers make a living and help colleagues in the process. As the money tightens, I wonder if their wallets will feel the pinch as much as ours? I doubt it.
Dena

[Heather]

Without getting into too much mudslinging, I think we can all say that cutting the mentoring bonus was a bad idea, especially with the disaster known as MAP/STAR. I think that this was an easy way for the Legislature to say, "I think you've done a heck of a job. Here's a little financial recognition." We all know this is mostly fallout from the passing of Amendment 1. For those who thought the $200 we'll get back from property taxes is worth what we'll have to take in sales tax hikes, vice item surcharges, and those pesky (non) ad valorium (sp?)tax hikes, I hope they enjoy the chaos they've wrought. Not just with NBC Teachers, but with all service jobs.

Heather, a proud NBCT

[Laurie]

I am thankful that the bonus was kept (at least for now!). I achieved National Board Certification this year. I attempted the process one time before(in 1999) and to be honest, was doing it for the extra money. I did not do well.I didn't anticipate the work involved, nor did I embrace the process. I was not ready to analyze and reflect upon my practice.
For years I thought about doing this again...and I did...In June '06 I knew I was ready to "dig deeper" (after 20 years of teaching).I paid for it myself.I read and I studied and I learned more about my teaching than I ever thought possible! By watching the video tapes I made (and there were MANY!!!) I learned things about my students and how they learn, their interactions with others, missed opportunities, and a lot of successes! I have never worked so hard for anything in my life. I certified this year and was on top of the world!
I know there are MANY wonderful and competent teachers who are not NBCT, but I have also heard the negative responses from other teachers who do not understand what the process gives back. NBCT'S are proud of what they have accomplished and they do have knowledge and experience you can never get from coursework...because I have done both. I got a lot of information from my college/ grad courses, but I never learned about my teaching or my students like I did by going through the NB process.
Will I have a problem with mentoring someone and not getting a bonus? Absolutely not! I believe we have to help each other and give back as much as we can, especially in these times. I do know I look differently at everything I teach and the way I teach it having gone through this process.Am I saying I am better than a teacher that is not National Board Certified? No...but I do have an insight and knowledge about my own practice that I would not have had, had I not gone through this process.Those who decide it is not for them will never know the benefits of that knowledge. I am proud to be a NBCT, Class of '07!

[Kay]

I've been a NBPTS certfied teacher for five years now. I worked hard for the designation and am proud of my accomplishment. I've assisted many candidates over the years, but have never reached the hourly requirement for the mentoring bonus. Maybe the state could consider paying an hourly stipend for mentoring services instead of the full blown bonus.

[jIMMY]

If YoU wAnt tO fiNd the Worst TeAchErs iN a SchoOl LoOk At the NaTioNal BoarD CerTiFieD tEacheRs. TheY Are The OneS SitTing oN theRe ButtS ShoWing MovieS AlL Day aNd PulLing WOrKshEets From Their 20 yEar Old FilIng CabInets.

WHAT A JOKE OF A PROGRAM. JUST BECAUSE A TEACHER IS BOARD CERTIFIED DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE EFFECTIVE IN THE CLASSROOM. IT MEANS THEY WERE ABLE TO JUMP THROUGH ALL THE HOOPS LIKE A WELL TRAINED CIRCUS ANIMAL.

INSTEAD OF GETTING BOARD CERTIFIED TRY GOING FOR YOUR DOCTORATE!!! I BET YOU COULD NOT HANDLE THE PRESSURE.