The journey to becoming a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) has been a process full of reflection, doubt, and pride. I would compare it to a roller coaster ride, only the highs came at the end as I submitted my components. I chose to work on all 4 components during the 2018-2019 school year. I became curious about the process the previous year as I watched a colleague work towards becoming certified. I could tell from observing her journey that being a NBCT is not a title one just gets, it is a title that is EARNED (boy is it a hard title to earn). That summer I began reading my components, joining professional learning groups on social media, reading books, and attending district trainings. I applied for a grant that I received! The grant covered all of the component fees, which is just short of $2,000. I had a mentor, a great support group, and felt prepared to take on the journey. I began thinking of the components as check lists that I would simply do and then check them off and move onto the next. Little did I know about the process and journey that I was about to endure. It was hard, it was long, it was continuous professional reflection, and took much time away from my family and friends. I was constantly reflecting, changing, and growing as a media specialists. I thought about giving up but my support system would not let me! I am very thankful for the support that I had from my mentors, colleagues, family, and friends. I am glad that I did not quit, because from this process I am better. Because I am better, my students are better and that makes it all worth it. As much as I disliked the process, I LOVE the teacher that it created. I will not know my scores until December. Of course I would love nothing more than to earn those 4 letters behind my name, but if I do not certify on my first attempt, as devastated as I will feel, I will not give up! If you are on the fence about becoming a National Board Candidate I say to you, just do it. Give it a shot. Put your all into it. I promise it will change you and you will come out a better teacher. Now you may have more wrinkles, bags under your eyes, and gray hair, but if it were easy everyone would do it. And I believe in you just for the simple fact that you took the time to read this blog and I say to you good luck!!