EDU-NB 802: A Professional Community of Accomplished Teachers

Overview

The purpose of this course is to focus on the involvement in professional learning communities in order to complete Entry 4 of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process. In addition, participants will increase their familiarity with content area standards and content area knowledge to prepare for the Assessment Center exercises. This course is intended for current and future National Board candidates or those wishing to improve their practice by applying the National Board Standards. Assignments will require that you demonstrate understanding of your content standards, improve content knowledge and develop appropriate pedagogical practices for addressing student misconceptions. Participants will develop and respond to practice prompts in preparation for the Assessment Center. The course requires that you identify eight documented accomplishments that provide evidence of your involvement in professional activities associated with being a leader and collaborator, with families and community, and as a learner. The course project will be the completion of a written commentary that involves analyzing the impact of your accomplishments on student learning and reflecting on your work as a professional educator. The National Board Certification Standards, which are based on five core propositions, provide a framework that teachers can follow to ensure they continue to improve their practice. Teachers have clearly defined standards for accomplished practice and these standards can serve to guide the development of accomplished teachers. Participation is this course will help you improve your teaching by helping you apply accomplished teaching standards in your classroom.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and application of content area standards and accomplished teaching standards of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
• Document professional activities associated with being a leader and collaborator, with families and community and as a leaner.
• Describe, analyze and reflect on personal involvement in professional learning communities and its impact on student learning.
• Investigate how knowledge is constructed in various content areas
• Construct and respond to prompts that assess content-area knowledge and pedagogical understanding of how to address student misconceptions in those content areas.

Required Texts
EDU-NB 802 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore