National Board Certification and the Teachers' National Certification Incentive Trust Fund (House Bill 25)

OVEC provides time and resources for candidates seeking National Board Certification. Carol Wright, OVEC, Ann Larson, University of Louisville Consultant, and Sarah Going, National Board Certified Teacher from Henry County, meet in the summer and set the agenda for each school year.Candidates meet for the purpose of discussion, writing, and sharing tips on how to videotape the entries required for submission.

Informational presentations to explain the national board certification process were held for faculties in the OVEC districts throughout school year 2000-2001 and a total of 110 teachers expressed an interest in seeking national board certification.In May OVEC submitted a proposal to the state Standards Board and received approval for the funding of six mentors for school year 2001-2002 in order to provide an infrastructure of support for the 50 teachers committed to pursuing national board certification. The following six national board certified teachers will serve as mentors:

• Ellen Sears, National Board certified in Elementary Art, Anchorage
• Roger Newton, National Board certified in High School English/ Language Arts, Bullitt Central High School
• Ellen McEntyre, National Board certified in High School Science, Gallatin County High School
• Sarah Going, National Board certified in High School Math, Henry County High School
• Beth Dunn, National Board certified in Middle School Math, Shelby County East Middle School
• Jon Saderholm, National Board certified in High School Science, Spencer County High School

The 50 teacher candidates are from the following districts:

• Anchorage (2)
• Bullitt (12)
• Carroll (5)
• Eminence (1)
• Gallatin (4)
• Grant (3)
• Henry (6)
• Owen (2)
• Shelby (10)
• Spencer (4)
• Trimble (1)

Twelve three-hour collaborative sessions from 4:00-7:00 p.m. are being planned for these candidates for the upcoming school year. The collaboratives will be located at each mentor's high school. Topics to be covered are designed to assist the candidates with techniques on writing and videotaping, understand the national board standards, and furthering each teacher's knowledge about effective instruction, curriculum, assessment, collaboration, and inclusion. Preparation for the 3-hour exam will take place in May.