Successful Strategies for Pursuing National Board Certification: Version 3.0, Components 3 and 4

by Bobbie Faulkner

In 2014 the National Board began revising and streamlining the National Board Certification Process. This new 3.0 version of the WHAT WORKS! series reflects the revisions to Components 3 and 4. WHAT WORKS! Successful Strategies for Pursuing National Board Certification Version 3.0, Components 3 and 4 includes dozens of strategies to guide candidates to successful certification. The chapters draw a roadmap showing how to provide evidence of the National Board Standards. There are tips for understanding the prompts, making videos, and for writing clearly, consistently, and convincingly in the “National Board Style”.

Genres: Teaching, Education

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2016

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very helpful in helping me figure out how to write for my boards. I will be using it again next year when I do Component 3!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along with the companion book on the new Components 1 and 2, this book demystifies the new NB process, or as Faulkner calls it, Version 3.

C-4 is brand new...we're all learning as we go...candidates and support providers. Faulkner's breakdown, her discussion of assessments and learning communities, will be of great value for us all.

I've read countless books on the National Board process, including some of Faulkner's earlier works. RIght now these two slim volumes are the only ones to address the new iteration of the process. I can't think of any being more valuable...and accessible...and affordable.

[Lizz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review: What Works! Successful Strategies for Pursuing National Board Certification by Bobbie Faulkner

This book is very similar to Bobbie Faulkner’s previous book that provided an overview of all four components. While there are chapters that focus specifically on Components 3 and 4, much of the content felt identical to the earlier resource.

I was really hoping for a more in-depth dive into C3 and C4 since that’s where my current focus is. While there were a few helpful reminders and some useful clarification, a large portion of the book felt redundant because I had already read the previous one covering all components.

That said, I did still gain a few insights and appreciate the reinforcement of key strategies for National Board writing and reflection. It’s a solid resource—especially for candidates who haven’t read the earlier book—but for those who have, there may be quite a bit of overlap.

[Juliette · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a new edition of this book in the works, which I suggest looking for, as the NBPTS makes frequent changes. Bobbie Faulkner is a HUGE help when working on your National Boards. Read this book multiple times, including before you start, as she shares so many help tips and techniques. She also moderates a Facebook NBPTS group, which is a nice supplement to this book. Thank you, Ms. Faulkner, for all of your sage advice! Best of luck to all teachers pursuing NBPTS! Use this book to keep you on track. I will receive my last score for C4 in December 2021. Hoping for fireworks!

[Rachael Caskey · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a lot of helpful tips and tricks. However, the author never once mentions Early Childhood Generalist certification but mentions many others and gives specific examples for them. Also, this book is 7 years old, I would think an update would be in order at this point.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good portion of this book has the same content as the first book. I don't understand why she didn't just put all four in one book.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this before and while you work on your components. Direct advice it will be a valuable guide.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book for anyone at the start of their National Board journey. I do wish there were specialization specific versions, but I took many helpful notes from this book!

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess it is hard to accurately rate this book on how helpful it will be in obtaining National Board Certification until I see if I DO, but so far it is incredibly supportive at teasing out the big ideas to help me focus on planning, implementing and reflecting on my lessons. It tries to pull together all the different pieces (standards, AAT, 5 Core Propositions, Rubrics, etc) to help you figure out what the NBPT is actually asking you to do and how they will judge your work.

If you are looking for a step-by-step HOW TO, or examples of other people's work, you won't find it here. That's NOT accomplished teaching. But if you need a resource to help you wrap your head around the complicated maze that IS National Boards I would recommend this inexpensive and focused resource.

[Kimberley Eisinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Resource

This book is an excellent resource if you are currently pursuing National Board certification. There are great examples of sentence starters to help get started on the writing process.