My First State Board of Education Experience

One of the roles of the North Carolina Teacher of the Year is to serve as a Teacher Advisor to the State Board. This week I had the honor of representing North Carolina teachers by sitting on the Twenty-first Century Professionals Committee (TCP) and by participating in the activities of the full Board meeting. The Board has determined that their work is determined by five priorities: TCP; Globally Competitive Students (GCS); Healthy, Responsible Students (HRS); Twenty-first Century Systems (TCS); and Leadership for Innovation (LFI). These committees meet prior to the Thursday Board meeting which includes remarks from the Chair, the Superintendent, and the Deputy Superintendent.

Let me begin by saying that the individuals who are in place to make decisions impacting teachers really do "get it." They are well aware of what is happening in the classrooms across our state and are committed to do what's right for educators and students. At the same time they are knowledgeable on the mandates of public school law and are bound to uphold those laws during their decision making. It is apparent that they take their duties very seriously, while also being a warm, open group of professionals who made me feel welcomed from the minute I arrived.

I'd like to take a minute to mention just a few of the decisions that were made. First, there have been changes approved for the North Carolina Writing Assessment. Directed by "A Framework for Change: The Next Generation of Assessments and Accountability," the NC Department of Public Instruction was given the charge to develop a new writing assessment system that would replace the annual on-demand writing tests of the past. During this meeting, the Board approved paper and pencil products for 4th grade and electronic submissions of writing products for 7th and 10th grades. Be on the lookout for details of the new writing assessment as it is piloted this year. Professional development online modules will be available in September.

In other news, the legislature passed (and the Board approved) the use of mentor funds for full time mentors in school systems. Teachers who have achieved National Board Certification may apply to become full time mentors without penalty of losing the 12% pay differential. DPI will be organizing a committee of stakeholders to discuss the training module for full time mentors.

I'd like to end on a personal note: as I mentioned, the Board made me feel a part of their community immediately. I was presented with a State Board pin, mug, bag, and plaque, and treated warmly by everyone I encountered. I did, however, leave exhausted from a great deal of mental activity and in pain from the seven blisters my shoes left on my feet (this teacher does not wear heels often!)

It was definitely a positive experience, and I'm looking forward to meeting with the State Board on a monthly basis.