International Baccalaureate Teacher Certification
The International Baccalaureate, or IB, program started in 1968 as a way to provide a consistent education for children who lived abroad while their parents worked in various high-level occupations. The IB program now represents a rigorous course of study for students in IB-approved schools. These schools offer programs in primary, middle and high schools, and recent moves by IBO--the governing organization of IB-approved schools--resulted in programs for IB teacher certification.
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Designation
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IBO calls the certification programs “awards,” and the organization honors two levels. The Level 1 award is for working teachers who have completed one graduate-level course on the IB program. The Level 2 program is for teachers who want more in-depth training, usually in preparation for helping their schools move in the direction of IB or working in administration. As of mid-2010, only six schools globally, and three in the United States, offer IB certification for teachers.
Benefits
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IB certification for teachers can benefit both the teacher and his school. In subjects such as mathematics, the IB program requires teachers to have a much greater understanding of the concepts than most general teaching certifications require. Teachers who complete the IB certification programs should be better prepared for the more abstract concepts they will need to teach students in the program. Schools also can highlight the number of teachers they have with IB training as a way to recruit students to their schools.
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Level 1
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The level 1 program requires only a few months’ commitment. Oakland University, the first school in the United States to offer an IB certification for teachers, provides Level 1 training over the course of one summer or regular semester. Trainees complete most of their work online and travel to Michigan only for a short on-campus program. The Level 1 award, according to IBO.org, shows that an educator has an understanding of the IB program and can assist with implementation.
Level 2
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The Level 2 IB award requires a lengthier commitment. At Oakland University, the Level 2 training program requires a commitment of 18 months. Teachers are accepted into a “cohort,” meaning they will learn together online throughout the program, which is 10 two-credit-hour courses. IBO.org’s information on the Level 2 IB award says that teachers who have met these requirements have an understanding of issues facing IB and can help with planning and troubleshooting IB programs at new schools.
Warning
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An IB award in itself does not guarantee that a teacher is a good fit for the program. The IB Teacher Certification programs will help teachers understand the IB philosophy, which is to educate thoughtful students who will analyze their surroundings. This type of teaching method is different from the “listen and learn” model most schools use, and some teachers may find the transition difficult.
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