136 SC educators earn National Board Certification
December 8, 2014
ROCK HILL, SC — South Carolina remains one of the nation’s leading states for the total number of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) after 136 South Carolina educators representing 31 school districts earned National Board Certification (NBC) in 2014, according to data released this week by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
With the addition of this new group of NBCTs, South Carolina now has 8,820 NBCTs. North Carolina continues to lead the nation with 20,611. Florida is second with 13,637.
In addition to the 136 newly certified teachers, 311 NBCTs renewed their certificates in 2014.
Teachers seeking National Board Certification undertake a two-part process that takes from one to three years to complete. The process requires candidates to reflect on their classroom practices, assess their understanding of subject material and examine their preparation techniques. In addition to preparing a portfolio with videotapes of classroom teaching, lesson plans, student work samples and reflective essays, teachers must complete assessment center exercises based on content knowledge that prove they have mastered the subjects they teach and also possess the skills to teach them.
“The National Board Certification process provides a framework for deep analysis of all aspects of teaching and learning. Candidates must demonstrate clear, consistent, and convincing evidence that they understand and apply best practices related to setting instructional goals, planning and facilitating lessons, assessing students, and collaborating with families and other professionals,” said Jenna Hallman, Assistant Director at The Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA).
While it is possible to achieve certification without support, candidates consistently report that collaboration with other NBCTs and candidates ease the burden of the process. To this end, CERRA has created an infrastructure of support that includes a district liaison in each of the state’s 84 school districts and a National Board Toolkit comprised of PowerPoints, handouts, and activities to assist candidates as they move through the certification process. CERRA also collaborates with other state agencies including the State Department of Education, The South Carolina Education Association, and Palmetto State Teachers Association to provide workshops and awareness sessions for candidates.
Teachers interested in pursuing the certification for the 2015-16 National Board cycle can access further information on the CERRA Website at nationalboardsc.com.
About the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards:
The mission of the National Board is to advance student learning and achievement by establishing the definitive standards and systems for certifying accomplished educators, providing programs and advocating policies that support excellence in teaching and leading, and engaging National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) and leaders in that process.
The National Board seeks to elevate the status, voice, and role of accomplished teachers in shaping a true profession. This includes: 1) raising public awareness with respect to the cognitive complexity, collaborative, and expertise-driven nature of teachers’ work; 2) setting higher standards for entry, advancement, and leadership in the profession; and 3) recognizing accomplished teaching through a rigorous professional certification process comparable to those found in other professions such as medicine, engineering, and law.
Since 1987, more than 100,000 teachers have achieved National Board Certification.
About the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, & Advancement:
CERRA, an independent state agency located on the campus of Winthrop University, is the oldest and most established teacher recruitment program in the country. The purpose of CERRA is to provide collaborative leadership in the recruitment, retention, and advancement of outstanding educators for all children in South Carolina. CERRA’s programs have been adopted at school, district and state levels in more than 35 states in the United States. More information about the Center and its programs is available at www.cerra.org. You can connect with CERRA on Facebook (cerrasc), Twitter (cerrasc) and YouTube (cerrasc).
