FAQ’s for those Interested in Contracting with an NCTE Consultant

If you want a consultant for a half-day professional development event, some are willing to charge less if they are in close proximity to the school or district.

Q:  What services will NCTE provide when considering an NCTE Consultant?
A:  NCTE will recommend the best consultant for your needs or can contract with a specific consultant, if requested.  NCTE will be the broker between the school and the consultant, and will provide additional services, as outlined in the Expectations section of this website

Q:  Will the consultant be willing to customize the speaking engagement?
A:  Yes, the consultant can customize their presentation to match your specific needs.  The consultant and/or NCTE representative will work with your school to determine the best materials for your school, district, or region.

Q:  What happens after we have chosen an NCTE Consultant?
A:  After a school has chosen the consultant based on their expertise and consulting fee, NCTE then will then send a contract to the consultant and another to the client along with an invoice for 50% of the consulting fee.  Travel fees can be estimated and included in the invoice.  The balance is payable within 30-days of the presentation.  NCTE will pay the consultant upon receipt of the travel expenses.  We do consider other business situations if it is fully explained and detailed in writing to NCTE Professional Development Staff.

Q.  What does NCTE offer to make sure the visit is more than a “sit and get” professional development experience?
A.  We help you consider resources ideal for departments, cross-department teams, or other groups coming together as a community of learners.  These resources might include specific books (perhaps a book written by the author), professional communities at work kits; online programs like pathways to advance adolescent literacy (for the ELL one, click here); NCTE journal issues, articles, or subscriptions, and membership into our organization. 

Q:  Can the consultant be available for a follow-up visit?
A.  If possible, we recommend you bring the NCTE Consultant back for additional visits as part of best practices in professional development.  You can arrange for a second visit either one month or several months after the presentation.  Consultants can also be available in an online forum after the initial visit to answer questions, give feedback, and facilitate any discussions.
  
Q:  When should I communicate with the consultant? 
A. NCTE will add the preferred contact information for the consultant on a Confirmation Sheet.  The client will then complete the Confirmation Form by adding pertinent details about the event including location, room arrangement, available AV, and travel recommendations.   The consultant makes their own travel plans.  We then recommend you speak with the consultant several weeks in advance of the event so the consultant has a better idea of the expected outcomes of the workshop.