The directory of CT Certified users continues to grow as now over 100 schools have had one or more of their instructional leaders complete the CT Certification training. Based on the goals of the training and the feedback we are receiving, we believe there are at least five good reasons for you to consider joining us for one of the training cohorts in 2021 (all dates are posted here).
- Promote Best Practices
Curriculum mapping is really an extensive process designed to help teachers engage in several practices that are widely-considered to be essential. Curriculum Trak is a feature-rich technology platform designed to be user-friendly while also pushing users toward those best practices. CT Certification is designed to help you make the most of the practices of mapping within the Curriculum Trak platform. CT Certified users have reported that the training has helped them identify what specific practices they need to work on, more clearly communicate about those practices, and guide their teaching team in the specific steps to grow in those practices.
- Help Curriculum Mapping Benefit Teachers and Students
One of the major misconceptions about curriculum mapping is that curriculum mapping is engaged in for accreditation purposes or other school-related purposes (reporting, accountability, training the next guy, etc.). Many teachers do not see curriculum mapping as something that can benefit their own instructional efforts. CT Certification training is designed to help you change that mindset. We point to specific connection and collaboration points available in Curriculum Trak as a result of your curriculum mapping efforts that can help the teacher think about their instruction in new ways, see how their courses more clearly connect with the courses around them, and how their students can understand the relevance of their instruction more clearly as well. Curriculum mapping is ultimately a practice for teachers to capture their students heads and hearts more effectively and efficiently.
- Stake Out A Clear Mapping Journey
Curriculum mapping is a slow, reflective process designed to meet teaches where they are and help them strengthen their approach to instruction. Given the somewhat individualized approach to the process (not every teacher is in the same place) along with external pressures to “get it finished,” like a looming accreditation visit, there isn’t a single, clearly-defined mapping process for every instructional team. CT Certification training seeks to help school leaders identify their specific needs, plan for the best way to reach those needs within Curriculum Trak while also giving you access to other school leaders who may be struggling with, or may have overcome similar challenges. We work to give you opportunities to think about what you need to focus on in the short-term (this year) and what you might focus on more long-term (two years from now, or beyond).
- Lead Others
Curriculum mapping, like most school improvement efforts, does not happen on its own. It requires clear, confident leadership, an understanding of the tools and the processes used to accomplish your specific plan, and a point person who can cut through the noise naturally occuring around the project and make the adjustments needed to keep moving forward. If your school has someone ready to accept this challenge, we want to help equip them to be successful, not only at your school, but at other schools around you who will also engage in the practice. We believe the outcomes are worth it – for the teachers and the students (see item 2 above), but for the sake of faith-based education in general.
- Connect with a Network
As we have had the opportunity to support faith-based schools around the world, we know that many tend to feel isolated in their efforts. Perhaps one of main reasons to join a training cohort is simply to connect with other like-mined educators. Most of our past attendees have shared a sense of appreciation for the opportunity to work with other schools – maybe in the same state, or maybe half a world away, who are in the same situation, facing the same challenges, and looking to accomplish the same things. The sense of connectedness and camaraderie grows as schools recognize that their efforts are also for the same purpose and a similar mission. We would love to have you join us!
