The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is proud to welcome 3,831 new National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs), who are helping students reach their highest potential in 2,914 schools in 46 states. Together with 4,786 Board-certified teachers who successfully renewed their certification this year, these new NBCTs join a growing community of more than 125,000 Board-certified teachers across all 50 states.
Keri Hamilton, Magnolia High School English Department teacher and chairperson, recently joined this prestigious community of educators, achieving certification through her work in the 2018-2019 school year.
“These new National Board Certified Teachers will continue to change the way their students learn, and their proven ability to be the best teachers they can be will have a ripple effect on their schools and their communities for years to come,” said Peggy Brookins, NBCT, president and CEO of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. “I’m especially proud to see that large numbers of new NBCTs are teaching in schools where they are needed most. And, with more Board-certified teachers of color, more students of color will see themselves reflected in those high-achieving professionals.”
“I’m honored to be a National Board Certified Teacher. Achieving certification was a challenging process, but through the process I became a better, more reflective teacher.” Keri Hamilton
Magnolia High School principal, Chris Carter, stated, “I am honored to work with Ms. Hamilton, she faces challenges head on in educating ALL our students at MHS and it is a pleasure working with her.”
In order to become a Board-certified teacher, teachers complete a performance-based, peer-reviewed process, demonstrating their proven impact on student learning and achievement.
In addition to the new NBCTs, more than 24,000 teachers are currently pursuing Board certification. An increasing number of states and districts support growing the number of Board-certified teachers because of the impact they see on teachers and students.
Highlights from this year’s class of new Board-certified teachers
Widening reach:
There are new NBCTs in 2,914 schools in 1,090 districts across 46 states
Growing concentrations in schools, districts, and states:
11 states have more than 100 new NBCTs
35 states have more than 10 new NBCTs
122 schools have 5 or more new NBCTs
Increasing equity, reaching a broader range of students:
55% of new NBCTs teach in high-need (Title I) schools
18 of the new NBCTs teach in Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) affiliated schools, an increase of 37% since 2014, and have hundreds of teachers working towards certification
569 new NBCTs are teachers of color
42% of new NBCTs teach in STEM fields
During the week of December 9, educators across the country will celebrate all Board-certified teachers, as well as those teachers who are current candidates for Board certification, with #TeamNBCT week. Activities include in-person and online recognition of the dedication, expertise, and leadership of these educators.
“National Board Certification is about elevating the teaching profession; and it is about helping children achieve at higher rates,” said Brookins. “The certification process impacts teaching and learning well beyond an individual teacher’s classroom.”