Doing what it takes...

I am now a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT class of '09), it is a dream come true. I did not become an effective teacher overnight, knowledge and implementation of the national teaching standards and best practices over time made me the educator that I am today.
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I thought my sleepless nights on the National Board was over after conquering it. But still I have been tossing and turning for the past two nights too excited to sleep recalling my challenges during my candidacy and looking forward to my next steps.
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It was a personal decision for me to do whatever it takes to succeed. It was during my darkest times after my third year as a teacher under Dr. Janey's leadership that I embarked on this journey. I knew I was doing the right things as a teacher but good enough was not the best for my students. I wanted to know the best teaching practices according to the national teaching standards.
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I did not get the support that I needed from my former principal, but the moral booster from my special education coordinator, a NWP colleague from Massachusetts, a parent, and my students are strong enough give me the push that I needed to continue amidst the adversities. My grandmother was another inspiration, she told me that "tough times never last but tough people do", and gave me the book before I left the Philippines in 2003; I read it again during my reflection. I closed my doors to my friends and have forgotten about my self, I focused on honing my skills as a teacher and helping my students maximize their potential.
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One of my colleagues from the Pinoy Teachers Network reminded me that : "Teachers who inspire realize there will always be rocks in the road ahead of us. They will be stumbling blocks or stepping stones; it all depends on how we use them." From experiences I learned to look around at what others have done and what I can do. Some of them have already met what I was going through. At work, I faced a big challenge, I decided to see it through.
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I received my NBC Blue Box three times; I missed by 20 points the first time I took it. It was understandable knowing that I was not a master teacher and I was still trying to absorb the Five Core Propositions of the National Board. I never back down once I start something, I press harder each time I try. The second round that I went through the process was more difficult because I was in a traumatic situation in my school and I was on my third trimester of my pregnancy. I submitted my second entry two weeks after giving birth, with the expectation that my score was going to drop big time!
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When I got my results last year lo and behold, I only missed by 2 points, and the feeling was worse. I was crying when my new principal came in my classroom and talked to me, she said:
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"Ms. Angala, you have gone this far on your own, just missing 2 points from the goal, without anybody there to support you. You are going to retake the national board and you are going to pass. Why? Because I am here to support you, we will go over your entry before you submit it.

You will pass because now I see a teacher who is worthy of being called a National Board Certified Teacher. I see a teacher in front of me who is working hard to be able to pull the scores of her special needs students out of below basic in the benchmark assessments. I see a teacher who is helping her colleagues create an inviting classroom environment and a better lesson plan for their students. I see a teacher who is able to pull together resources and grants, and community help for her students to achieve. I see a teacher who is open to suggestions, receptive, and is willing to learn and make things better for her students. You will retake the National Board, and I know you will pass because you are now ready."
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More than 200 hours was again spent on reflective writing and doing research on classroom management. I did not have to retake another portfolio on Enhancing Social Development, I just had to do the Assessment Center computer based test. I was so brave to retake Entry 3 when I knew that this was my weakness. I told my colleagues that I would like to get better in this area. I knew that doing a lot of reflection and researching for more effective behavior management strategies would help me become a better teacher. The percentage of losing was higher, it was more risky.
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When I received the email reminder last Wednesday that the results are coming out Friday, I was already anxious. I did not know who to tell about it, I was sick as a dog until the results came out last Friday. When I logged in my profile in the NBPTS website I had to read it more than three times and check my scores repeatedly. Yes, I nailed it the third round! This has been the most challenging but my most rewarding professional development experience as a teacher! Each round made me a better teacher that my students deserve; each year showed increase in my students' achievement as evidenced by their authentic work and not just test scores.
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To my colleagues in DC Public Schools, we need to set higher expectations and higher standards for ourselves so we can inspire our students and encourage them to do what it takes to be successful in life. We need to make a strong decision to take control of our actions and not just to sit by and let others define effective teaching for us. We are the key players in the education arena and not just mere instruments in this education reform. We need to make our voice heard and let everyone know what matters most to our students that we, classroom teachers, better understand.
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I have gotten texts, emails, Twitter messages, calls from the people who are significant to me and those who are in my professional network. My hubby's Facebook (sorry I decided not to have another addiction) was also flooded with messages from our friends and relatives. Thank you all for believing in me, you are my inspiration.
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Tough times never last but tough people do!