2024–2025 SEA National Board Candidate Support Cohort Program

SEA provides facilitated support for candidates going through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process. Candidate support is optional for teachers completing their National Boards; however, teacher candidates who are part of a support program show a significantly higher passing rate.

As part of a cohort, candidates receive support, instruction, and feedback from their trained facilitators who are SEA colleagues. Examples include: “unpacking” the National Board component prompts, finding evidence of National Board standards, and ensuring alignment. Clock hours are available.

 

Calling all Teachers of Color 📣 WEA Margins to Center Scholarship: In partnership with WEA, SEA is thrilled to also offer the “Margins to Center” Scholarship opportunity. This scholarship is for Multilingual Teachers and Teachers of Color to help defray the cost of National Board Candidate Support by covering the cost of up to two components. Learn more about this scholarship opportunity.

We’re excited to be working with you this year as you undertake this powerful, professional work! Warm regards,

What courses are offered & when do they meet?

Courses Offered	Description	Dates
*Foundations: Introduction to National Board	Required by all OSPI-approved programs and for those receiving OSPI conditional loan**. A close examination and application of two NBPTS foundational documents: The Five Core Propositions, and The Architecture of Accomplished Teaching.	One session only: Sept. 21 (9:00am –3:00pm)
Component One: Content Knowledge	Discussion of certification area standards & analysis of prompt descriptors. Self-assessment of content area knowledge. Learn about Constructed Response Items, Selected Response Items, assessment ethics, procedures, appointments & general C1overview.	Oct. 19 Jan. 11 Feb. 8 (12:30 – 3:00pm)
Component Two: Differentiation in Instruction	The Five Core Propositions and the Architecture of Accomplished Teaching will be woven throughout the analysis and study of certification area standards and Component Two instructions. Meetings include time for Q&A, conferencing, drafting, and peer review.	Oct. 5 Nov. 2 Dec. 7 Jan. 25 March 15 (9:00 – 11:30am)
Component Three: Teaching Practice & Learning Environment	The Five Core Propositions and the Architecture of Accomplished Teaching will be woven throughout the analysis and study of certification area standards and Components Three instructions. Meetings include time for Q&A, conferencing, drafting, peer review, plus vide review and analysis.	Oct. 19 Nov. 16 Jan. 11 Feb. 8 March 29 (9:00 – 11:30am)
Component Four: Effective and Reflective Practitioner	This component requires teacher candidates to gather information from a variety of sources about a group of students; use assessments to effectively plan for and positively impact their students’ learning; and provide evidence of their collaboration with families, the community, and colleagues and of their contributions to learning communities to advance students’ learning and growth. Meetings will include time for Q &A, conferencing, drafting, peer review, and reflection.	Oct. 5 Nov. 2 Dec. 7 Jan. 25 March 15   (12:30 – 3:00pm)
Extra Writing Sessions	Candidates receiving Scholarship support will be able to attend two Extra Writing Sessions. Help will be focused on writing support & peer review of drafts.	Dec. 14 March 1 (9:00 – 11:30am)

 

What is the Time and Location of the meetings? Saturday meeting times vary per Component. All meetings will be held virtually. You will need a Google account for use during our virtual meetings.

What is the cost? Candidates pay a non-refundable registration fee of $100 and support fees based on Components selected. Note that WEA/SEA member prices are lower. Become an SEA member today! See next tables for costs.

Annual Non-Refundable Registration Fee

$100

Course	WEA/SEA Member Cost	Non-Member Cost	Clock Hours
*Foundations	$125	$170	6
Component One	$175	$250	10
Component Two	$250	$405	16
Component Three	$250	$405	16
Component Four	$250	$405	16

*Foundations Course is offered for those who did not attend the WEA Jump Start Program and is a prerequisite for Components One, Two, Three, Four, & for those receiving the OSPI conditional loan**. If you attended the WEA Jump Start Program, you do not need to take the Foundations Course.

**OSPI Conditional Loan Program is offered by OSPI to assist teachers in financing the NBPTS fees. Learn more.

Full Payment & Registration Fee Deadlines: Monday Sept. 16, 2024. Payment in full is required to attend classes.

Reimbursement Policy:
A 50% Course refund is available to candidates who formally withdraw by contacting SEA prior to Nov. 1, 2024. No refunds will be available after Nov. 1, 2024. Any candidate who withdraws or ends participation in the SEA NB Candidate Support Program at any point during the year will need to resubmit full payment and registration fee for the subsequent year’s program.

How do I register? Complete & submit the registration Form and full Payment using the LINK.

Please not that you must register with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and pay their fees in addition to participating in the SEA National Board Candidate Support Program. We strongly suggest downloading the Standards and Component Portfolio Instructions for your certificate area and reading them before committing to this process.

We’re excited to be working with you this year as you undertake this powerful, professional work! Warm regards,

Mary Lanza, NBCT & Mark Ellis, NBCT SEA National Board Candidate Support Program Coordinators/Facilitators mary.lanza@washingtonea.org

 

Helpful Links

National Boards: registration and important information
https://www.nbpts.org/ Information/registration for the National Board assessment process. You need to register and pay the NB assessment fees to become a National Board Candidate (this is a separate fee from the SEA NB Candidate Support program).

OSPI: Certification questions
https://www.k12.wa.us/certification/national-board-certified-teachers– For teachers whose certificates are due to expire, this is a look at how the NBCT process fits with renewal. There is a link to communicate questions to OSPI.

OSPI Financial Assistance
https://ww https://www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate- center/w.k12.wa.us/certification/national-board-certified-teachers/national-board-candidates– For teachers seeking financial assistance with the fees for National Board

WEA: Jump Start & Homestretch
https://www.washingtonea.org/pd/certification-licensure/

This is where you register for Jump Start, WEA’s excellent preparation event for the NBCT process. Jump Start participants get the Foundations course required for the conditional loan process as well as great tips for managing resources and materials throughout the process.

https://www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/Guide to National Board Certification (with important dates and deadlines)