Lots of goodness is in the works for this year’s American Education Week! With the theme, Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility, we’ve got a Parents & Community Day planned for Tuesday, November 15. Using CTA’s Advocacy Agenda, which is available in 11 languages, you can reach out to parents and your community by sharing this document and building support for your school or college. Be sure to check these resources and share your plans and photos at AEW@nea.org. And if you’re on social media, be sure to use #AEW2016!

While many of us have already voted by mail, we know that lots of others enjoy the act of walking into their local precinct and casting their ballot in person. For those who prefer the personal touch, we’ve got one last message for you before you make your way to your polling place:
– YES on Prop. 55 to help our children thrive!
– YES on Prop. 58 to help our children LEARN!
– YES on Prop. 52 to keep a good idea working!
And YES on the presidential candidate and other candidates who are friendly to PUBLIC education – CTA’s handy voter guide can help you zero in. Let’s get ready to celebrate a bunch of WINS when the polls close on November 8

Here is some important information to know;

Certification consists of four components: assessment of content knowledge, reflection on student work samples, video and analysis of teaching practice, and documentation of the impact of assessment and collaboration on student learning. Throughout the process, you will be able to apply what you’re learning to your classroom practice and connect with other teachers pursuing certification. Recognizing the many demands on teachers’ time, the process is designed to be flexible, efficient and affordable.

The National Board Certification has gone through some revisions;

The National Board now provides additional options for educators.  While teachers can complete the entire certification process in one year, some may choose to do so over several years if that fits better with other demands on their time.

The total cost of certification has decreased to about $1900.00, with each of the four components costing $475 each.  Candidates have the option to pay for and submit each component separately.

National Board Certification State Contact

Judy Sinclair

California Department of Education

916-323-5846

jsinclair@cde.ca.gov

California Teachers Association

Jane Robb

JRobb@cta.org

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards NBPTS

www.nbpts.org

Language from our 2014-2016 Contract;

3.5.9 Unit members with a Masters Degree or National Board Certification in the field of employment shall receive additional salary compensation of 3.1 percent of Class III, Step 3 (schedule A, appendix A), annually, as part of their base salary.

3.5.9.1 Unit members with a Doctorate Degree or a combination of at least two (2) of the following: Maters Degree(s) and/or National Board Certification in the field of employment shall receive an additional salary compensation of 3.1 percent of Class III, Step 3 (Appendix A, Section A for 2014-1; Appendix C, Section A for 2015-16), annually, as part of their base salary.

There was excitement aplenty at Markham Elementary School today. The Davis Ranch donated over 900 Pumpkins into the eager hands of the parent volunteers and teachers who formed an enthusiastic assembly line to distribute the pumpkins into the hands of Markham’s eager students. Some pumpkins were painted immediately with the Day of the Dead colors and some are going home to eager households.

“It was a great event,” said VTA leader Sylvia Shepard.  “The kids had a wonderful time and it’s amazing to see our community come together for our kids.”

Thanks again, Davis Ranch! 

Be sure to catch our next mixer on November 17th at The Point!