The workday doesn't end for teachers when students leave the classroom - or, often, even when the sun goes down.

And yet, the nine teachers in Woodbrook Middle School's Language Arts department are taking on even more to further their own educations. The group is working together on the Take One! professional development program, a component of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), an advanced teaching credential that complements a state teaching license.

"It was one of those ‘aha!' moments," said department chair Judy Norris-Handy, who originally brought the idea to Principal Nancy LaChapelle and in 2002 was the first teacher to certify in the Clover Park School District. "It was a big deal for (Woodbrook) to take this on."

Now, she is helping to facilitate the process for her colleagues.

"I'm never satisfied," she said of her decision to pursue certification. "I always want to be the best I can be."

Teachers must meet high and rigorous standards to complete the three-year National Board process, which includes compiling a 60- to 70-page portfolio of work and videotaping classes. Take One! offers the chance to complete one of the four required portfolio entries - and bank the score. In Washington state, teachers must receive their National Board or ProTeach certification within five years; otherwise, their job could be in jeopardy.

Starting next month, the Woodbrook teachers will devote their meeting time to reviewing and critiquing videos of themselves teaching a lesson. In April, they will submit a lesson portfolio to NBPTS for official scoring.

"When you see yourself videotaped on camera, it's humbling," Norris-Handy said. "It takes a lot of trust to do this."

As an "emerging school," Woodbrook has been focusing on increasing student success and closing the achievement gap.

That begins with the staff.

LaChapelle said when she became principal in 2002, she began working on building a foundation for collaborative instruction. It really took off about four years ago.

"We knew we could get so much further collaboratively than any one of us could do alone," she said. "The era has long passed that teachers can just shut their door and go do their own thing in their classroom."

Norris-Handy agreed, adding that by helping the teachers in her department, she is able to expand her own skills.

"I feel like I'm doing right along with them," she said. "Simply because I've done it doesn't mean I can't get better ... I think it lends credibility to me."

As one of the two middle schools serving Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Woodbrook has a unique set of challenges in teaching its students.

"We've got students from 100 different school systems - none of which are aligned - both in and out of this country," LaChapelle said. "They have such huge gaps in their learning."

As a result, teachers must "really know their kids, identify what they need and be able to support that need. There is so much more being asked of teachers (today)."

At the same time, Take One! is forcing teachers to slow down and stop to reflect upon their teaching practices, Norris-Handy said.

"They're looking at what they did, and did it work, and if it didn't, what they're going to do next," she said.

LaChapelle added, "It helps make sure we're on the right track, heading in the right direction and doing the right work."