Professional Teacher Certification
Overview
The
Professional
Certificate
(ProCert)
is the
2nd tier
certificate
for
Washington
State
teachers.
Most
states
have a
two-tiered
certification
system.
The
ProCert
is a
job-embedded
performance-based
certification
process
that
emphasizes
personalized
professional
growth.
The
ProCert
can and
should
be
deeply
connected
to your
teaching
context,
school,
and
district
activities.
In the
ProCert
program,
you will
further
develop
and
refine
your
professional
skills
and
habits.
At the
heart of
Professional
Certification
are the
students
of our
state.
The key
question
you will
be asked
as you
gather
evidence,
reflect
on your
practice,
and
develop
professional
growth
goals
will be
“what is
the
impact
on
student
learning?”
This
process
of
reflection
and
intentional
decision
making
consists
of three
main
steps:
• Pre-Assessment Seminar
• Individualized Core
• Culminating Seminar
During
the
Pre-Assessment
Seminar,
you will
study
the
standards
for
Professional
Certification
in
Washington
state.
You will
work
collaboratively
with
your
colleagues
in the
seminar
to share
ideas
and work
through
challenges
in your
practice.
During
this
seminar
you will
pre-assess
yourself
against
the 3
standards
and 12
criteria.
During
this
assessment,
you will
reflect
on your
previous
experiences,
education,
content
knowledge,
strengths
and
challenges.
Based on
this
assessment,
you will
develop
a
Professional
Growth
Plan
(PGP).
This PGP
will be
your
roadmap
or
blueprint
for the
next
step in
the
process.
Your
Professional
Growth
Team
will
give you
feedback
and
suggestions
on your
PGP.
Your
Professional
Growth
Team
will
approve
the PGP
before
you
begin
the
Core. As
you
develop
your
PGP,
think
about
your
personal,
building
and
district
goals as
well as
the
School
Improvement
Plan and
consider
how they
overlap
or
connect
with the
ProCert
standards.
The
ProCert
process
can help
you in
your
work in
these
other
areas.
During
the
Core,
you will
work on
the
goals
outlined
in your
PGP. The
Core is
individualized
based on
your
PGP.
Your
Core
might
include
courses
in your
Master’s
degree
program,
summer
learning
experiences,
courses
through
the ESD
or
school
district,
courses
for an
additional
endorsement,
or other
options
approved
by the
college/university
program
such
as continued
work
with a
professional
learning
community.
Remember,
the Core
is
structured
on your PGP
goals
and must
be
approved
by the
college/university
program.
During
this
time,
you
might
also
meet
regularly
with a
professional
learning
community
through
your
program
to share
ideas
and
experiences
and
connect
your new
learning
to your
classroom
and to
the
ProCert
standards
and
criteria
as well
as
receive
guidance
and
feedback
prior to
the
culminating
seminar.
When you
have
completed
the
Core,
you will
participate
in the
Culminating
Seminar.
This
seminar
provides
you time
to
finish
your
portfolio.
You will
reflect
back on all
the
learning
and
growth
during
the
process
and look
ahead to
logical
next
steps.
During
this
seminar
your
evidence
will be
assessed
by the
college/university.
Once you
have
demonstrated
competency
in all
twelve
criteria,
the
university
will
recommend
you for
the
certificate.
