To do or not to do...that is the poser.
There are many different ways to approach the National Boards and still be successful. After numerous discussions with teachers involved in the process, teachers who have already completed the process, and facilitators for the program in Idaho, I've put together some suggestions intended to help smooth out the journey.
GET THE BUY-IN FROM LOVED ONES, THIS IS GOING TO REQUIRE A SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT OF TIME
GET THE GENUINE SUPPORT OF YOUR PRINCIPAL
ENLIST THE SUPPORT OF YOUR STUDENTS AND CO-WORKERS
SET ASIDE A REGULAR TIME TO WORK ON THE PROJECTS
SET UP A TIMELINE FOR YOURSELF, THIS IS CRITICAL IF YOU WANT TO MEET ALL OF THE DEADLINES
CLEAR YOUR CALENDAR OF ALL UNNECESSARY OBLIGATIONS
REALIZE THAT THE CRITERIA ARE VERY SPECIFIC...READ ALL PROJECT ASSIGNMENTS CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW THEM TO THE LETTER
BOOKMARK THIS SITE AND CHECK THE RESOURCE PAGE FOR HELPFUL POINTERS AND IDEAS
HEY, LIGHTEN UP ALREADY, WHADDA YA WANNA DO, GET YOURSELF A HEART ATTACK? EVEN IF YOU FAIL AND BECOME THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE ENTIRE BUILDING, DISTRICT FACULTY, STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AND NATIONAL BOARD FOLKS, IT CAN'T BE ANY WORSE THAN THAT TIME THE KIDS SLIPPED LSD INTO YOUR COFFEE AND YOU GOT HALF WAY THROUGH DEMONSTRATING THE BARKING DOG THEORY OF LITERATURE (SANS CLOTHING) TO YOUR NINTH GRADERS BEFORE THE PRINCIPAL GOT WORD THAT YOU WERE "ACTING SILLIER THAN USUAL" AND CAME TO YOUR RESCUE. (I think this actually happened somewhere in the East.)
