Pima County JTED Project SEARCH instructor Brande Kitzberger recently earned National Board Certification. National Board Certification is an advanced teaching credential, which recognizes effective and accomplished teachers who meet high standards. Kitzberger says she started her pre-candidacy class in May 2011, and spent approximately 450 hours to complete the requirements for her certification.
For the Exceptional Needs Specialist Entry, she had to complete portfolios on:
• Assessment Forming Instruction
• Fostering Communication and Literacy Development
• Social/Emotional Development
• Documentation of Accomplishments that Contribute to Student Learning
Kitzberger was also required to pass a 3-hour exam on Social Development and Behavior, Numeracy, Literacy, Transitions and Career Development, and Assessment and Collaboration.
“It was an experience that deepened my knowledge of my teaching, what I choose to teach and how I go about teaching concepts. It also taught me how to reflect on how my teaching effects student learning,” says Kitzberger.
JTED Project SEARCH helps high school students who have development disabilities find meaningful employment through job training and work experience gained at University Medical Center – South Campus, and the University of Arizona main campus.
NBPTS is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan and nongovernmental organization. It was formed in 1987 to advance the quality of teaching and learning by developing professional standards for accomplished teaching, creating a voluntary system to certify teachers who meet those standards and integrating certified teachers into educational reform efforts.
The Pima County Joint Technical Education District is a district that provides free career and technical education to all sophomore, junior and senior level high school students in Pima County to give them a head start on college and careers. It does not offer core curriculum classes, nor do they award high school diplomas. Students who enroll in Pima County JTED programs earn high school credit, and in some cases, may earn college credit, industry certifications, and/or a state license.
JTED serves students from public, private, and charter schools, students who are home-schooled, as well as students who either have, or who are in the process of earning a GED. Students may attend JTED classes at one of the Central Campuses, located throughout Pima County, or at one of the satellite locations which are located at all public high schools in Pima County, Santa Cruz Valley, and in Mammoth San Manuel.