This year, I became the Instructional Partner that services
between two schools, the largest elementary and middle schools within my
system. No longer do I only serve the
twenty students within the walls of my classroom. I now serve more than 1,400 students and 75
classroom teachers. I am faced everyday
with new challenges and decisions that require focus on the instruction of all
students within our schools. Can I make
a difference?
On a broader note, I have the honor to be the 2nd
Vice President of the Alabama National Board Certified Teachers Network Board
of Directors. This role has forced me to
be an advocate, a promoter, and a face for all teachers throughout our state. Can I make a difference?
Recently, our Alabama NBCT Network held our 2nd Annual
ALNBCT Hill Day. The purpose of our day
was not to spread a political agenda but to share how a teacher that holds
National Board Certification affects students in our schools. We visited members of our state legislator. Some of the meetings included legislators
that we had spoken to last year. Other
meetings were with new faces. We were
even bold enough to stop legislators in the hallways, wait outside of lunch
areas, and drop into their offices all for a chance to speak with members of
our state congress. Did we make a
difference?
Several of the legislators that we spoke with told us that
our meetings last year caused them to research National Board Teacher
Certification. They visited the schools
within their district and spent time with the NBCTs in their schools to observe
their teaching first-hand. Another group
of state representatives, democrats and republicans, held an impromptu roundtable
discussion. It quickly became a meeting
of how to get large groups of teachers and even whole schools involved in the
certification process. Several are
exploring new ways to provide the financial means for teachers to achieve National
Board Certification and reward those who are already certified. It is exciting to see these changes take
place.
As we all know within our classrooms, we can make a
difference. The difference may be
small. They may take a long time to come
into fruition. But, a difference will
happen. Our ALNBCT Hill Day allowed us
to plant seeds with the members of our state congress. Although there are 135 members in our state
congress that deal with thousands of issues each legislative session, I believe
that promoting what is best for Alabama’s students made a difference.
Please take time to share stories with your local
legislators of the successes that take place in your classrooms and
schools. Invite them to spend time with
you, so they can personally see what our students are achieving. Do not be shy. You can make a difference!
~Cara
