My students represent the full range of San Francisco's energy and diversity. Speaking over 15 languages and with families from across the globe, they come to my (currently on-line) classroom excited and ready to learn.
Almost half of my students are English language (EL) learners.
These students, many of them from Central and South America and Asia, are striving to learn not only the critical Social Studies skills of historical thinking and citizenship but also English (a second or often third language for them). Each day they keep me on my toes and challenge me to learn and grow. I want to ensure I am continuously enhancing my own teaching practices and skills to meet their ever-changing needs.
My Project
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an independent, nonprofit organization working to promote and advance accomplished teaching for all students. The program identifies teachers who meet rigorous standards through a self-reflective, performance-based, and peer-reviewed series of assessments. There are four components total and I am seeking support to cover the costs of registration for the first two components. Given our current Distance Learning, these are the only two portions of the program I can complete at this time. I am working closely with a teacher-led group at my school site as well as with a district-wide professional learning community.
I am very passionate about teaching and, in pursuing this certification, my goal is to become the best possible teacher I can be.
My students deserve nothing less.
Completing the National Board certification will demonstrate I am an accomplished Social Studies teacher. It will also allow me to reflect on and improve my pedagogy to meet the unique needs of each of my students and also give back to my school and the profession.
I am eager to pursue National Board certification for several reasons. First, I will be working closely with a community of fellow educators. I have always grown the most as an educator when I am collaborating with colleagues. Second, the preparation process for certification is rigorous and meaningful and will push me to focus and reflect on my practice in powerful ways. Finally, I believe that Board certification is one important aspect of helping to professionalize and elevate the work of teachers. This is essential to the long-term vitality and funding of educators and education. I look forward to successfully completing the process, improving my teaching, and becoming an even better teacher by earning National Board certification.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Seyer-Ochi and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
