This year, 122 teachers in Arizona achieved National Board Certification. This brings the total number of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in Arizona to 1,078, making it 19th in the nation.
To date, more than 106,000 teachers in all 50 states and around the world have achieved this highest mark of accomplishment in the profession through a rigorous, performance-based, peer review process.
Some Arizona school districts pay a small stipend to NBCTs. The Arizona K12 Center provides considerable support to candidates. NCBT teacher Christine Erickson said, “Their professionalism is incredible. Their support is always delivered in the most professional way.”
Erickson, a Tucson Unified School District teacher, served as the inspiration for her brother Don Tramp, who eared his certification this year. Tramp, who teaches high school science, is ready to support teachers in the Buckeye district, who wish to earn certification.
Erickson says that she had little support while she was earning her certification, but now, thanks to the work of TUSD’s Richard Foster, Director of Professional Development, and Julie Torres, formerly with TUSD, the District now has “an amazing support system.” According to Erickson, “Candidates have great support within TUSD with the aide of AZK12. Many of TUSD’s NBCTs voluntarily support teachers going through the process through events organized by AZK12.”
Tramp and the other new NBCTs will be recognized at the Arizona K12 Center’s Fifth Annual Celebration of Accomplished Teaching on February 1, 2014, at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale. The Arizona K12 Center and Arizona Public Service are sponsoring this event.
Research has shown that National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) have a significant impact on student achievement, and their students outperform peers in other classrooms. Most recently, a 2012 study by Harvard University’s Strategic Data Project found that students of NBCTs in the Los Angeles Unified School District made learning gains equivalent to an additional two months of instruction in math and one month in English Language Arts.
Arizona NBCT Cheryl Redfield was selected as a 2012 Teacher Ambassador Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2013, Daniela Robles, NBCT, was appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Most recently, NBCT Beth Maloney was named 2014 Arizona Teacher of the Year.
National Board Certification is available in 25 certificate areas from Pre-K12th grades. National Board Standards are written for teachers, by teachers, and accomplished teachers are represented at every level of the organization, from key staff roles to the NBPTS Board of Directors and the Certification Council, which guides policy and implementation of the certification program. This fall, the National Board announced revisions to the certification process that will help ensure more students across the country have the opportunity to learn from Board-certified teachers.