COAHPERD

Colorado Physical Educators,

If you have been considering going through the National Board process, now is the time! There is currently federal and state funding for 200 candidates in Colorado (see below for more information and funding applications).

The Colorado Department of Education will offer National Board Candidate support classes specifically for physical educators. There is no cost for the classes however for a fee you can earn up to 6 Adams State credits. Sue Brittenham (National Board certified 2004) will facilitate the classes which will be held September 2011 through March 2012. Dates and site will be determined based on the needs of teachers.

The National Board process is a great professional development opportunity with the potential to earn 9 university credits. To register as a National Board Candidate go to the website: www.nbpts.org
Please contact Sue Brittenham if you are interested in attending the National Board support class for physical educators or you have other questions regarding the National Board process. s.brittenham@comcast.net

Two Hundred Scholarships Available For Teachers Seeking National Board Certification

The Colorado Department of Education’s Office of Educator Licensing today announced the limited availability of a new round of scholarships to support teachers applying for National Board Certification with the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.

Colorado teachers can apply for a federal scholarship of $1,250 provided by the U.S. Department of Education, as well as a Colorado scholarship of $750. The Colorado scholarships are being made available from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant funds that were allocated to district grant applicants, but not spent. Gov. John Hickenlooper’s office this week approved the use of remaining grant funds for the Colorado portion of the scholarship.

Scholarships are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, but Colorado also reserves the right to fund teachers in low-performing schools first.

The scholarship window is open through Dec. 1, 2011, or until funds are no longer available.

Interested teachers should begin by applying with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Candidates must check the box that allows their information to be released to funding agencies. After paying an application processing charge of $65 and initial fee of $500, teachers should complete the Federal Scholarship Application Form, a one-page essay discussed on the scholarship form and the Colorado Scholarship Application Form. Scholarship application forms, the essay and proof of payment of the $565 should be faxed to CDE at 303-866-6866.

Several school districts provide salary increases to teachers who obtain NBPTS certification, while other districts utilize certified teachers as teacher-mentors or teacher-leaders.

Certification cycles start now and candidates will work on their assessments until spring 2012. Candidates will find out if they achieved certification in November 2012. Currently, 210 Colorado candidates are working toward national board certification. The prior cycle resulted in the addition of 65 newly national board certified teachers and 16 teachers who renewed their certification for another 10 years.

For additional questions on the process of certification, visit http://www.nbpts.org/. To apply for scholarships, fax all required information to 303-866-6866 or contact Anne Marie Roberts in CDE’s Office of Professional Services at roberts_a@cde.state.co.us.

School districts interested in a presentation for local teachers about National Board Certification, should contact Nancy Shakowski, Colorado’s NBPTS regional director at nshakowski@nbpts.org.