TCPalm: Local News -
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Published on: 1/6/2003
Last Visited: 1/6/2003
South Fork High School physics teacher Tom Higgins said the certification process reaffirmed his teaching style -- mainly lectures using an overhead projector with lab experiments mixed in to allow students to apply the physics theories and formulas discussed.
While completing the process, Higgins noticed he was already ahead of the curve because he was already in the habit of changing lessons each year when he found something that didn't work, he said.
He hasn't necessarily changed the way he teaches as a result, but he realized he must analyze how he teaches and think about helping all of his students understand his lessons.
"I don't know what the definition of a good teacher is," Higgins said."This lets you know you're on the right track, that you're doing things well enough that other people think you're doing a good job.It feels good to know that I was doing the right things."
Higgins said he chose certification with the National Board over pursuing an advanced degree because of the quick turnaround in reaching certification.And the money helped.
It wasn't easy, but it was overwhelmingly rewarding because he didn't have to shell out thousands of dollars for a degree that would take years to earn, he said.
It costs $2,300 to enter the National Board certification process, but certified teachers are reimbursed 90 percent of that application fee.
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