Overview

All beginning teachers in Washington state and most teachers from out-of-state receive Residency Certificates as their first Washington teaching certificate. This certificate is valid indefinitely until the candidate attains professional status. At that point, within a five-year period, teachers are expected to earn the Professional Certificate.

The CWU Professional Teacher Certification (ProCert) program enables teachers holding a Residency Certificate to advance to the Professional Teacher Certificate. Teachers ordinarily enroll in a ProCert program after their first two years of teaching.

The Office of Continuing Education, in cooperation with the College of Education and Professional Studies, offers the ProCert Pre-Assessment Seminar and Culminating Seminar throughout central Washington. The Pre-Assessment and Culminating Seminars are available online to those teachers who do not have access to a traditional program.

Flexibility

You may begin the Professional Certification process by taking the Pre-assessment Seminar in your local school district or at the CWU Centers of Des Moines, Lynnwood, Moses Lake, Wenatchee, or Yakima almost any quarter during the academic year. Dependent on interest, courses may be offered summer quarter as well. Courses are also offered online every quarter. Current Professional Certificate Program course offerings are available on our website: http://www.cwu.edu/~cert/profCert.html. If you do not find a course available in your area, contact Dr. Andrea Sledge, ProCert Coordinator at 509-963-1425; sledgea@cwu.edu. The Professional Certification can be included in the Master Teacher's program (http://www.cwu.edu/~education/master.html). Call Dr. Andrea Sledge for information.

Mentorship

During the program, your Professional Growth Team (PGT) will provide support and guidance as you work on your individual Professional Growth Plan. Your PGT includes a mentor teacher, your principal or designee, another teacher of your choice and your CWU representative.

Preparation For Adanced Degree and Nation Board Teacher Certification

The credits earned through the Professional Certificate program may count toward a master's degree. For more information contact your CWU graduate program advisor. You will also be prepared to meet the requirements of National Board Certification.

Program Outline

Pre-Assessment Sem

ECTL 601 (4 CREDITS)

You may begin your Professional Certificate program by taking the Pre-Assessment Seminar after you have taught under contract with a public or private school for two years. During the Pre-Assessment Seminar, you will:

• Develop a Professional Growth Plan (PGP) that reflects your teaching context and positive impact upon student learning
• Assemble a Professional Growth Team that will collaborate with you on your PGP
• Initiate your Professional Certificate e-portfolio using a template

Professional Core Courses

(9 Credits or 90 Clock Hours)

CWU's Professional Certificate program allows you flexibility in choosing coursework to meet your Professional Growth Plan. During the professional core you may:

• Choose to enroll in college courses for credit
• Enroll in designated professional certificate courses. These courses may involve attending workshops and/or conferences, participation in district in-service and staff development activities, completing independent research projects or internships or other activities recommended by your Professional Growth Team
• Combine college courses and professional certificate courses

You may begin your professional core courses after you have completed provisional status (typically after two years with the same school district).

The primary focus of your Professional Growth Plan core is the opportunity to develop evidence of your positive impact on student learning through effective teaching and leadership.

CULMINATING SEMINAR ECTL 609 (2 CREDITS)

CWU's Professional Certificate program Culminating Seminar emphasizes teaching improvement. During this seminar you will develop a portfolio that demonstrates how you have:

• Participated in activities to improve curriculum and instructional practices
• Participated in professional and/or community organizations
• Advocated for curriculum, instruction and learning environments which meet the diverse needs of students
• Used your communication skills and strategies to facilitate group decision making
• Participated in collaborative school improvement activities

At the end of this seminar, the electronic portfolio is submitted for assessment. If it meets all criteria, your Professional Growth Team will recommend to the CWU Certification Office that you are qualified to receive your Professional Certificate.

Schedule

Current ProCert classes

Contact

For more information on the Professional Certificate program, at Central Washington University, visit the ProCert web site at http://www.cwu.edu/~cert/profCert.html or contact:

For more information on Professional Certification in Washington State, contact:

For more information on CWU's Teacher Certification Program (CERT), visit: http://www.cwu.edu/~cert/ or contact:

Persons of disability may request this material in alternative format by calling Darlene Sirrine at 509-963-1785 or leaving a message on TDD: (509) 963-2143* AA/EEO/TITLE IX INSTITUTION