Pennsylvania teachers deliver the power of a great education. This year, 140 Pennsylvania teachers distinguished themselves by achieving National Board certification, bringing Pennsylvania’s total of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) to 639. Among those 140, five of 2009 recipients are local educators in Central Pennsylvania.
National Board certification is the highest earned credential in the teaching profession. A teacher-driven, voluntary process established by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete, and measures what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. National board certification does not replace the need for state certification.
Since 1987 more than 82,000 teachers nationwide have achieved National Board Certification. These teachers prepare America’s diverse student population with the skills it needs to compete in the 21st century workplace.
As part of the process, teachers build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, videotapes and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. Additionally, teachers are assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach.
An “extraordinary group,” is how U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan referred to this year’s class of National Board Certified Teachers in a September interview with NBPTS. He said teachers who achieved National Board Certification have “demonstrated a commitment to taking their teaching practice and the teaching profession to a different level.”
Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review. NBPTS offers 25 certificates that cover a variety of subject areas and student developmental levels. In a congressionally-mandated study, National Board Certification was recently recognized by the National Research Council as having a positive impact on student achievement, teacher retention, and professional development.
More than 150 studies, reports, and papers have been commissioned on the National Board Certification process, and more studies are underway which clearly demonstrates the impact of National Board Certification on teaching and learning.
One of the most significant research findings so far: National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) actually do produce greater student achievement gains than their counterparts, and do so especially for lower achieving students.
We would like to honor PSEA members in Central Pennsylvania who have achieved National Board Certification in 2009:
Amy Schwab, Cameron County Education Association
Shaun McMurtie, Bellefonte Area Education Association
Kerri Detsch and Joanne Perry, Kane Education Association
Alice Flarend, Bellwood Antis Education Association
Jill Warg, East Lycoming Education Association.
In Pennsylvania, many school districts support educators in their pursuit of NBCT, by providing reimbursements for the costs and annual payments after obtaining the certification. The 2009 recipients increase Pennsylvania’s total number of NBCTs by 28 percent. The Commonwealth ranked 15th nationwide in the number of teachers achieving National Board certification this year and ranks 21st in the total number of NBCTs.
Congratulations to the educators who are helping to deliver the power of great education to all of our students.
Brad Siegfried
President, Philipsburg Osceola Education Association
President, Central Region PSEA