Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

(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After reading numerous guides purporting to help me pass my NBPTS endeavor, I found many to be pedantic, sometimes outdated, and often as complex as the directions that came in my box.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.

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!

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!

Having the pleasure of working with Jerry Parks is one of the many highlights of my job, and to read and share his writing has enlightened so many other professionals.

This little book possesses a vast amount of pertinent information that promotes completion of certification in a timely and efficient manner. The "tips" are precise, and written in a manner easily understandable and adaptable. For candidates seriously pursuing National Board Certification, this book is a must read!

This book has proven to be absolutely indispensable! In the process to achieve national board certification, any help is welcome, but this book has it all! Divided into easy to read chapters, Mr. Parks has provided the candidate with a manual that will ease the process in many ways! Checklist and bulleted points make this easy reading, and even easier to implement.

The cost is terrific, and compared to others on the market, it's quite a steal! I would definitely say I got more than my money's worth! I highly recommend this book to anyone even considering going through the NBPTS process.

If you have already shelled out the money to become Nationally Board Certified then you will want to spend a little more to make sure you get it right the first time. I wish I had this book the first time around. The buzzwords are particularly helpful. The format of this book is a little easier to navigate than other NBPTS books. I found that it was worth the price.

"I found this book to be very helpful and sound. For the 'newbies' I highly recommend investing in this book! Jerry is extremely knowledgeable and he helped me through the process."

I enjoyed reading through this book and would have loved to have had such a direct and concise guide while I was going through the National Boards process. It really will be helpful to future candidates. Good Work!

"Thank you for the great job on the book, and for simplifying the process for us! The best component of your book is your humor and optimism. I will be taking my assessments (soon) and am actually looking forward to the experience. The book has helped me tremendously in organizing my thoughts. Thanks for the impact you've made."

I purchased this book along with another National Boards book. Both have been helpful tools.