TWN+Certification

=The TWN Certification Page - DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT=

There are two components to TWN Certification: the Compentencies and the Certifications.

Competencies
Similar to Merit Badges in Scouting, TWN Compentencies provides opportunities for teachers to explore skill and knowledge vital to engaging students, especially in the context of a ResulTech School. Competencies are a vital part of the TWN Certification advancement plan, and the basic building blocks for professional development. Through participation in the certification program, the teacher acquires the special skills, pedagogies, and strategies to connect with youth, motivate students, and teach in a project-based learning environment. A teacher may begin participating in the program at any time.

Each Competency topic is outlined and explained online. Each reference contains introductory information, a detailed list of requirements, and references to assist with meeting the requirements.

Professional developers, pedagogical coaches, school leaders, and ResulTech staff, who are knowledgeable about the various Competency subjects are selected, approved, and trained to serve as Competency coaches. Coaches must have both the necessary knowledge and skill to support teachers wanting to earn the Competency and the background to understand the needs of educators and how to support their work (HELP - I need help here!!!!)

When a teacher has an interest in earning a particular Competency, she obtains her principal's or pedagogical coach's approval and identifies one or more additional teachers with similar interests to become her partner(s). They are then directed to teh appropriate Competency Coach. The Coach reviews the Competency requirments with the teachers and decides with them what projects and tasks should be undertaken and by when they should be completed. After teh Coach has certified that the teachers have qualified for the Competency, it is presented to them at a staff meeting and can be applied toward rank advancement to the next Certification.

Certifications
Every rank in TWN Certification is reached by accomplishements by the educator. Themes run throughout the requirements from Level 1 Instructor to Level 5 Master Teacher. For instance, when a Level 1 Instructor learns about connecting with students, she is laying the groundwork for reaching all students. And, when a Level 3 Master Teacher plans their own project-based units, they are learning how to become curricular leaders for their cluster.

Teachers, school leaders & Coaches may be so busy teaching, grading work, planning for next week that they don't notice the whole path to becoming the kind of teacher we need. That is fine, because the whole path is laid out and they should be focused on the activities at hand. The potential problem is when a school leader or Coach does not see the value in an activity and decides to reduce the requirements - that cheats the teacher later down the path (and in the classroom).

Use thes pages to learn the rank requirements for each teachr advancement. Rather than just listing the requirements, we've added helpful ways to meet the requirements for every rank - things that many educators find have worked for them and others. Of course, we would love to hear your new ideas or suggestions - contact us.

A nod to the Boy Scouts for laying the groundwork with their curriculum and providing the structure for ours.

Resources


 * A project of [|ResulTech] and the Schools We Need Project at the [|Maine Center for Meaningful Engaged Learning]**

Version 070529 Email Mike Muir with comments or questions.