January 5, 2004

National Board Certification seemed like an intimidating task the moment I signed up for it -- and it continues to be just that. I have written and rewritten papers so many times that I can't tell any more if they even make sense.

I tend to be a procrastinator, so scheduling time to work on my national certification has been a must. But, I find, even when I am not working on it the process remains at the forefront of my thoughts. I also worry sometimes that my energies should be directed more towards classroom initiatives; I am feeling that I've neglected some of those responsibilities in trying to balance them with my national board projects.

I expected to work hard, but I find myself still asking so many questions about the process, and wondering whether my writing is descriptive enough without being too descriptive. That has been one of my biggest challenges!

Everything is due in February, so it's coming down to the last two months. I see a lot of sleepless nights in my future as I try to tie it all together. I know I'll be feeling a sense of relief and dread until I learn the results of my efforts -- in November, 2004!

Meet Stephanie Capalbo Stephanie Capalbo received a bachelor's degree in psychology with a concentration in elementary education from Rhode Island College in May 1995. She became certified in early childhood education in August 1997. For the past six years, Stephanie has been teaching kindergarten at Bradford Elementary School in Westerly, Rhode Island. In the fall of 2000, the kindergarten at Bradford became the first and only kindergarten in the district to receive accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). In 2003, Stephanie was named Westerly's Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year.