Some Helpful Hints

• Be sure to spend time reading the Getting Started Section of your portfolio guidelines. You must follow your instructions exactly, and be sure the person taping you knows his/her guidelines well.
   
• Set up a timeline for yourself. Include school obligations and family obligations along with your portfolio ones. Recognize that everything will take longer than you expect so try to plan to complete your portfolio 2-3 weeks before you need to send it off. Remember it has to be in the hands of NBPTS on the due date, not postmarked on that date.
   
• If you are using Word, to get more text in the allotted space, go to format>paragraph>line and page break> and un-select orphan and widow control. Also, go to tools>language>hyphenation and select automatically hyphenate. Another space saver is setting the bottom margin to .9 which does leave one inch at the bottom. You can measure to be sure, but it works!
   
• One other way to get more space is to go to the edit>replace. Enter two spaces in the Find bar by hitting your space bar twice, and then hit the space bar once in the replace bar. This will eliminate any double spaces you put in after periods.
   
• For some people a “t-sheet” helped analyze their entries. Divide one piece of paper in half. Label one column “What is important” and list everything in the Level 4 rubric that needs to be demonstrated. In the other column, you can write how you addressed that part of the rubric.
   
• The sound must be clear. Practice with your camcorder to see if you need to add an external microphone or if you need to place one in a different place.
   
• Assessor needs to be able to see you as well as your students.
   
• If you have flaws in your lesson, address them in your Written Commentary.
   
• Remember there can be no editing; that means no stopping and starting of the video camera.
   
• Make sure you have a release form for every individual on your tape- adults, too.
   
• Be sure that the students you refer to in your entry are easily identified in your video. (Student on the left, first row, child with the red skirt, etc)
   
• Make copies of all your tapes, clearly labeled. Remove the tab so they can’t be taped over.
   
• You might find it helpful to view your videotape without sound to focus on subtle movement and/or interactions you overlooked due to sound distractions.
   
• National Board asks for “clear, consistent, convincing” evidence. Try for significant and sustained as well.
   
• It’s helpful to keep a folder on each child you teach. What did you have to teach before the assignment you feature? What will follow? Why? Feedback must be included to the student.
   
• Refrain from providing educational philosophy; just write about your teaching and what you do to get your students to learn.
   
• Keep a positive attitude. Assessors know there are factors beyond your control. Know your students, and plan and teach to their needs.
   
• Use the first person. You are the one making conscious decisions in your classroom, making things happen. Write “I planned…, My purpose was…”
   
• Be explicit with reasons. Let the assessor know that everything you did was purposeful. Tell why.
   
• Read the ethics section of the NBPTS page http://www.nbpts.org/candidates/ethics.cfm. There is very important information here.
   

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