Deadline for National Board applications is December 31

Posted: 8/24/2010 2:56:44 PM

Now that the new school year has begun, many Wisconsin teachers and counselors are considering candidacy for National Board Certification, the nation’s only advanced teacher certification. Interested candidates must submit their applications to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards by December 31, 2010. To qualify for candidacy, educators must hold a bachelor’s degree, possess a valid state teaching license and have completed three full years of teaching or counseling experience.

National Board Certification can offer license portability and can contribute to Continuing Education Units for educators across the state. In many areas, National Board Certification can also provide higher salary potential. Full or partial financial support is available for most candidates to help pay the costs.

The National Board process reminded me that everything I do in the classroom and with my colleagues should have a positive impact on students," said Boyceville teacher Kristen Henningfeld. "If it doesn't, then why are we doing it"

Henningfeld said the NBPTS process did this for her:

• Built confidence professionally and personally.
• Improved my teaching.
• Provided me with a self-improvement journey unlike any other.
• Finally made me realize that it is OK to ask for help!
• Provided a network of colleagues and friends across the state.
• Provided opportunities to present at local, state, and national conference.
• Opened doors and leadership opportunities: WEAC IPD Committee, WCEA Professional Issues Committee; Wisconsin National Board Network Groupsite Administrator and Board of Directors; NBCT Candidate Support Provide.

"Earning my National Board Certification was an achievement for me like no other, and it is one of the proudest moments of my life!" Henningfeld said. "Going through the process and achieving NBCT status means that I took on the challenge improved myself, so that I could be a better team member in the school community."

West De Pere teacher Sheila Kohl, likewise, found great great benefit from earning National Board Certification. "The NBPTS process showed me what it truly means to be a reflective teacher," she said.

Today, there are close to 700 National Board Certified Teachers in the state. For more information, or to find a mentor that can walk you through the candidacy process, visit www.nbpts.org or call 1-800-22TEACH. WEAC and the Wisconsin National Board Network have pulled together state resources for educators interested in pursuing National Board Certification. Find out more at http://www.weac.org/wnbn.