College of Education program supports teachers

A new center at Mississippi State is providing support for state teachers who seek certification under national standards designed to improve education.

The rigorous National Board Certification is similar in challenge to that of professional exams for lawyers and accountants, said Peggy Swoger, director of the World-Class Teaching Program in the university's College of Education.

"This voluntary national assessment requires teachers to examine what they're doing in the classroom, how well they know their students and how well teachers know the subject matter," she said. "It identifies accomplished teachers as a benchmark for the future."

Through the World-Class Teaching Program, Swoger is mentoring teachers around Mississippi in the year-long certification preparatory process.

Approximately 25 Mississippi teachers currently seeking certification must develop portfolios demonstrating their knowledge and skills. Student work samples, videotapes of lessons and commentary from the teachers are included.

After submitting the portfolio, teachers travel to one of 200 assessment centers where they complete intensive, timed exercises. Both are judged under rigorous standards developed by teachers around the country.

Second-grade teacher Sharon Collier of Starkville's Overstreet Elementary School is among those seeking certification to improve her teaching skills and the quality of education she can provide.

"I've seen a decline in public opinion about teachers, but I know that teaching requires special training and knowledge of child development," Collier said. "I see a need to help the profession receive recognition and to take the teaching profession to new levels."

Despite the rigors of the exam, Collier is confident that she'll be ready for a six-hour assessment next summer at Jackson's Sylvan Learning Center.

"Whatever the outcome, I know that I will have gained something from the process,"

she said.

Mississippi State's Swoger, a former middle school English teacher, has served two terms on the national board that developed the certification process.

"We hope to build a cadre of board-certified teachers in Mississippi and to form support groups for others who seek certification," she explained.

The certification process is an expensive one, requiring a registration fee of $2,000. Under funding provided by the state Legislature, those who successfully complete certification receive a $3,000 annual raise for the life of the certificate.

"The Legislature also will reimburse registration expenses if teachers are certified," Swoger said. "Mississippi has passed the best incentives of any of the states."

Through national certification, states assure a pipeline of highly qualified teachers for the future, Swoger said. With many veteran teachers now retiring, the profession needs "to attract the best and the brightest.

"This process establishes high standards, certifies teachers who can reach those standards and rewards outstanding teaching," Swoger said.