So, You Want to Become a National Board Certified Teacher?: A Handbook of Teacher Tips for Successfully Completing the NBPTS Certification [Paperback]

Jerry Parks (Author)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jerry Parks earned B.S., M.A., & Ed.S. degrees in education from Eastern Kentucky University, and completed graduate work at the University of Kentucky. He became a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in 2002. He is a regular speaker at National Middle School Association conferences, and is currently department chairman and instructor of social studies at Georgetown Middle School in Georgetown, Kentucky. Feel free to contact Jerry with any questions, concerns, or comments about this book at: [e-mail], or [e-mail].

Dr. Parks has also published two other books. His first, With Joseph in the University of Adversity: The Mizraim Principles is based on principles from the life of Joseph the Hebrew in the Old Testament. His second book, Teacher Under Construction: Things I Wish I’d Known, is a handbook to help new middle school teachers in their first year of teaching.

Product Details

• Paperback: 68 pages
• Publisher: Weekly Reader Teacher's Press (September 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595327281
• ISBN-13: 978-0595327287
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #298,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Education > Education Theory > Aims & Objectives

More About the Author

Jerry Parks was born and lives in Lexington, KY. He currently teaches 7th grade social studies at the Georgetown Middle School. Jerry has taught for 27 years, and is a member of the The National Teachers Hall of Fame, and the USA-TODAY All-American Teacher Team. He is the author of 10 books, ranging from Christian studies on prayer, the Book of Revelation, and Joseph the Hebrew, to instructional guides for new teachers, and NBPTS certification for seasoned classroom pros. He also serves on the Advisory Council for Author House Publishers, and speaks at various national conferences across America. He is available for speaking engagements when his schedule allows.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A no-frills little handbook that I only wish had been in my box!", September 24, 2005

By 

Francis Shroeder, Ph.D (Beautiful Anaheim, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: So, You Want to Become a National Board Certified Teacher?: A Handbook of Teacher Tips for Successfully Completing the NBPTS Certification (Paperback)

(Note: The cover listed on Amazon is NOT the new 2006 revised edition, but they DO send you the newer edition.)

After reading numerous guides purporting to help me pass my NBPTS endeavor, I found many to be pedantic, sometimes outdated, and often as complex as the directions that came in my box. Though many such books provided valuable assistance, many were also quite expensive. It was then that my mentor recommended the revised edition of this handbook, which (I was told) is a helpful revision of the original edition.

The book took about an hour to read, but I found myself referring back to it on many occasions. Having already enrolled in the process, I did not take the included 'readiness test', but suggested it to colleagues, some of whom found it quite helpful. Many of the reflective questions will cause one to seriously consider whether or not to commit to candidacy, but I would imagine anyone buying the book is already committed.

Without question, what helped me most was the 'speaking the language' vocabulary. Although one must be careful not to lose personal voice in the writing process (which the author is quick to mention), these 100 buzzwords did assist me immeasurably in writing the NBPTS nomenclature.

The second most helpful aspect of the book was the 'tips & tidbits' checklist for filming my students. (Tips & tidbits is an apt description of this book.) Having been a videotaping aficionado throughout my teaching career, I could not imagine needing assistance here. However, the cogent suggestions presented saved me from the curse of Murphy's Law on numerous occasions! I especially appreciated the reflective and analytical questioning prompts offered, a great many, I hate to admit, I would never have thought of.

Other strengths of this little handbook were the twenty plus suggestions for inclusion as a Documented Accomplishment, and the 'Home Stretch' acronym to check everything by as the finish line approaches and the infamous 'box' is mailed.

Less helpful, but nice as reminders, were the '5 C's of writing your portfolios', the websites, and examples of the three writing types required by the NBPTS. The strength of the work, as stated before, is that list of buzzwords.

In summary, I would say this little book is pretty much what it purports to be. It's a 60-page handbook of tips & tidbits, not a complex tome on writing paradigms. It is meant to assist in every certification area, and thus, cannot be as specific as perhaps one might wish. The style is conversational, and the checklists were quite valuable in helping me be sure what I wrote was thorough as well as valid. (I heard the author speak at an NMSA conference in Anaheim, and I can say his enthusiasm for the NBPTS comes across in his writing.)

This may not be the only book you'd want to use to help you through the NBPTS process, but it's certainly a helpful and inexpensive handbook that cuts to the chase, providing insight and analysis (and a little hand-holding), which you'll be glad to have around January or so. It is no substitute for an experienced mentor (as the author points out), but I would certainly utilize this little book should I decide to become a mentor myself.

Would that the directions that came in my box were as succinct and instructive.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "No fluff, trimmed to the bone handbook, certain to help!", October 16, 2004

By 

Josh Hoover "Josh" (Montpelier, VT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: So, You Want to Become a National Board Certified Teacher?: A Handbook of Teacher Tips for Successfully Completing the NBPTS Certification (Paperback)

Many books like this are either too detailed and complex, too expensive, out of date and unusable, or all of the above. Others are just a regurgitation of the NBPTS tips which are free.

"So, You Want to Become a National Board Certified Teacher?" is a no-nonsense, lean and to-the-point handbook that is none of the above.

While the familiar NBPTS helps are discussed, the book also includes a very helpful self-test on potential candidate readiness. It also has an invaluable list of so-called 'buzzwords' to include when writing entries--many I had not considered.

The premise of the book is "it's all in how you write it", and the emphasis is on keying in on core content, NBPTS buzzwords, organization, etc. While little of the information is profound or revolutionary, much of it is stuff I just wouldn't have thought of--and this is the strength of the book.


All in all, the book is worth the price. The author writes in a conversational style, and not like other authors who seem to talk down to the rest of us. The 'tips 'n tidbits', and check boxes are really concise and helpful. So are the many websites for assistance.

The work is attractively packaged, and organized for quick reference. The most helpful part, I repeat, is that lengthy list of 'buzzwords'. I am convinced Parks is right--the way your entries are presented is the key.

I would think any certification area could benefit from the advice and information in this handbook. I'll let you know next year if I do!

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Thank the Lord I found this book! I finally made it!!", November 22, 2005

By 

Laura in Louisiana - See all my reviews

This review is from: So, You Want to Become a National Board Certified Teacher?: A Handbook of Teacher Tips for Successfully Completing the NBPTS Certification (Paperback)

This was my third attempt. I bought Jerry Parks's book, and took the advice. I passed with a 3** total score! and I made a 4.0 on my retake entry. In particular, the advice: "Write in first person, active voice," really clicked with me. Also: "keep it simple!".

I addressed every instructional component, remaining mindful that how I answered each question should reflect linkage with the standards. I thank the Lord that I found this book, and that I bought it! I wished that I would've had it 3 years ago. Thanx so much from a Louisiana Lady!