National Board Certified Teachers

National Board Certification is presented by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards [NBPTS]. The purpose of the process is to advance the quality of teaching and learning by having teachers analyze and evaluate their teaching practice against a set of national standards, created by effective teachers,  that define what accomplished teaching looks like in their area of certification [classroom]. 

Certification is achieved through a rigorous multi-year performance-based assessment on key elements that, among other factors, requires teachers to evaluate themselves, what they are doing in the classroom and the impact it has on student learning and achievement. It also promotes teachers to be reflective and make intentional changes to improve upon their practice. An initial National Board Certification is valid for five years. NBCT can maintain their certification through the Maintenance of Certification  process that requires  teachers to show how they continue to embed their standards into their practice by focusing on professional growth experiences.  Renewal extends an educators certification for an additional five years. 

Research has shown that board certified teachers consistently outperform their peers in knowledge of subject matter and the ability to create challenging and engaging lessons.

The NBPTS reports over 133,000 educators across the United States have earned the designation of National Board Certified Teacher [NBCT] since the program began in 1987. The Coal City School District has had 16 teachers earn national board certification in the past 25 years. Among them faculty members—Belinda Egan, Marty Egan, Emily Hayse, Jean Krippel, Angie Phillips, Amy Siefken, Tricia Togliatti, and Aimee Wren. Coal City educators seeking distinction as a NBCT,  work with retired educator and fellow NBCT Pam Vigna.

Five Core Propositions forming the foundation of National Board Certification

Proposition 1 - Teachers are committed to students and their learning

Proposition 2 - Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students

Proposition 3 - Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning

Proposition 4 - Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience

Proposition 5 - Teachers are members of learning communities

For more information about National Board Certification visit the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards