State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Congratulates California Teachers Who Received Prestigious National Certification
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced 349 California teachers became National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT®s) in November 2009.
The prestigious award of achievement was granted by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS®).
"Congratulations to these educators who have demonstrated their passion and skill for teaching by earning this prestigious distinction," said O'Connell. "NBCTs are leading the way to prepare students for success in the competitive global economy."
National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to recognize great teachers, reward them, and increase their skills. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, NBCTs have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills, and practices. The certification process typically takes between one and three years to complete. As part of the process, teachers build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, videotapes, and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching, including evidence of fairness, equity, and access in meeting student needs. Teachers are also assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach.
In California, 63.7 percent of NBCTs teach in Title I eligible schools. Title I schools mean they receive federal funding to help socioeconomically disadvantaged students. This compares to more than half of NBCTs teaching in Title I schools nationwide.
NBCTs comprise about 3 percent of the national teaching force yet have won more than a fourth of the 2008 and 2009 State Teacher of the Year Awards and a third of the 2008 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Examples of awards earned by California NBCTs are:
- Brian Jeffrey, an English teacher at Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga in San Bernardino County, won the 2009 Characters Unite Award from the USA Network.
- Jose Navarro, a social studies and U.S. history teacher at Sylmar Senior High School in Los Angeles County, was a 2009 California Teacher of the Year.
- Brooke Nicolls, a writing teacher at Grant High School in Sacramento County, won the 2009 Outstanding Teacher of America Award from the Carlston Family Foundation.
- Lewis Chappelear, an engineering teacher at James Monroe High School in Los Angeles County, was a 2008 California Teacher of the Year and was nominated to compete for the prestigious National Teacher of the Year honor.
- Shannon Garrison, a general elementary teacher at Solano Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles County, was a 2008 Milken Educator Award winner.
- Three California NBCTs serve on the NBPTS Board of Directors: Liane Cismowski from the Mount Diablo Unified School District, Michael de la Torre from the Los Angeles Unified School District, and Haydee Rodriguez from the Central Union High School District.
California's 349 newly certified teachers bring the statewide total of NBCTs to 4,581. There are more than 82,000 NBCTs nationwide with California ranking fourth in total number of these accomplished teachers. The top five California school districts with newly named NBCTs are:
School District | Number of New NBCTs in 2009 | Total NBCTs |
|---|---|---|
Los Angeles Unified | 142 | 1,357 |
San Diego Unified | 20 | 167 |
San Francisco Unified | 11 | 163 |
Long Beach Unified | 21 | 147 |
Poway Unified | 5 | 116 |
California's new NBCTs are helping to further the state's education reform efforts under the federal Race to the Top competition that is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. To help create great teachers and leaders, O'Connell is asking participating local educational agencies to partner with the state to strengthen supports for teachers and school leaders, including deepening teacher and principal evaluations to both strengthen instruction and manage talent.
"We have long known that a key to student success is a great teacher," added O'Connell. "A fundamental step for closing the achievement gap in California is ensuring our most challenged schools are staffed with effective teachers and school leaders. National Board Certified Teachers often serve as leaders and mentors. This program is a great example of effective professional development that will help our teaching force meet and overcome the academic challenges students face in low-achieving schools."
For more information about National Board Certification for Teachers and Principals, please visit National Board for Professional Teaching Standards: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (Outside Source).