|
The Exemplary Teachers for Arizona Program
A Joint Project of the ASU College of Education
the Arizona Department of Education
the Arizona Education Association,
and the Bank of America Foundation
With the financial support from the Bank of America Foundation, the ASU College
of Education has created “The Bank of America Exemplary Teachers for
Arizona Project”. With this program, the college has embarked on a long-term
effort to recruit and support Arizona teachers who want to become certified
by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). A three tiered
approach has been developed.
First, a ten-week pre-candidacy class is offered that provides prospective
candidates with the information needed to make an informed decision about challenging
the certification process. This course is available for graduate credit through
ASU or it can be taken as part of a school district’s professional growth
program.
Next, for those teachers who apply for consideration, scholarships are available
to offset the cost of the candidacy program. Using support from the NBPTS Candidate
Subsidy Program and coordinated by the Arizona Department of Education, applicants
are screened for inclusion into the fee subsidy program. Candidate screening
is rigorous, competitive and open to all Arizona teachers who meet qualifications
for national certification. This year, 90 Arizona teachers were awarded $1000
each as partial payment of the $2300 candidate fee. Additionally, a small amount
of financial assistance has been made available to “retake” candidates
who did not meet the standards in their initial attempt at certification.
Finally, and most importantly, candidates are supported during the year of
candidacy through an intensive mentoring program. Cadres of candidates, organized
by area of certification, are created and mentored by an Arizona National Board
Certified Teacher. Through cadre meetings, individual counseling and statewide
workshops, an impressive faculty of cadre leaders assist candidates as they
assemble the required artifacts, essays and portfolios that ultimately will
be submitted for NBPTS review. Assistance is also provided as candidates prepare
for the assessment center phase of certification.
The first Arizona teacher to earn a National Board Certificate accomplished
the feat in 1996. The Exemplary Teachers for Arizona Program began in 1997-98
and in the six years since has helped 145 more teachers achieve their goal.
With 90 candidates during the 2003-04 candidate cycle, the Program’s
successful mentoring will continue to provide Arizona with an ever-increasing
cadre of highly qualified classroom professionals.
For further information contact:
Dr. Jim Jurs, Coordinator
Bank of America Exemplary Teachers for Arizona Project
College of Education
Box 872411
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona 85287-2411
(602) 965-2410
james.jurs@asu.edu
Ms. Kathy Wiebke
Deputy Associate Superintendent
Arizona Department of Education
1535 West Jefferson
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
(602) 364-2294
kwiebke@ade.az.gov
|
