Mission Statement
The Support Network is dedicated to advancing the teaching profession through teacher development and public engagement.

Beliefs
We believe that teacher driven professional development produces results. We believe that accomplished teachers are committed to students and their learning. We believe that accomplished teachers know their subject matter and how to teach. We believe that accomplished teachers take responsibility for managing and monitoring student learning. We believe that accomplished teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience. We believe that accomplished teachers are members of learning communities.

Vision
We envision a cadre of National Board Certified Teachers in every school to build the capacity of all teachers to have a significant effect on student achievement which also impacts educational policy at the district, state, and national level.

Goals
We support accomplished teachers as they go through the process of National Board Certification. We create leadership opportunities for teachers, facilitators, curriculum developers, coaches and presenters. We provide leadership roles in engaging educators, business leaders, and the general public in dialogue about National Board Certification.

How We Got Started
In 1997 United Teachers Los Angeles negotiated a 15% increase in compensation (7.5% salary and 7.5% for an additional 92 hours of work each year) as an incentive for NBCTs to remain in the classroom. See your LAUSD/UTLA contract for more information,

What is our design?
The Support Network is a professional development model that promotes teacher networks and collaborative learning.

What does it look like?
Recruitment of candidates: a mandatory 4-hour Orientation meeting designed to show the process for certification and to model how our network operates. Candidates fill out an Information sheet and sign a Memo of Understanding.

Professional Practice Seminars (PPS)
Sessions on Saturdays when NBC candidates and their facilitators meet together. A typical session has the entire group reviewing one of the portfolio entries. The emphasis is on the process involved and candidates apply what they have learned to their own certificate area.

Facilitated Study Groups (SG)
These groups of about 7-10 candidates per facilitator are generally organized by certificate areas and meet throughout the year. The process/content taught in the Saturday Seminars (PPS) are explored in depth as candidates assist each other by sharing their entries and receiving feedback from the group.

Trained Facilitators
This training is tailored for our needs. All of our facilitators are NBCTs. In addition to the information about the portfolio and Assessment Center process, we include an ethics issues strand, activities designed to deepen facilitators understanding of their own reactions, and facilitation skills. The on-going training prepares them for their role in the PDSs, provides time to deal with concerns and issues, and includes additional skills training. Finally, using a variation of a peer coaching model, the lead presenters visit each facilitator during their small support group meetings several times a year.

In Summary
The Support Network provides a comprehensive program of professional development support for first-time candidates and continuing candidates which includes:

•a curriculum developed and presented by National Board Certified Teachers

•Professional Practice Seminars for portfolio and assessment center exercise preparation

•Highly trained facilitators plus on-going coaching

•Facilitated Study Groups in certificate areas (when possible)

•A successful program for candidates retaking entries/salary points available

•Continuing leadership opportunities for presenters and facilitators