National Board Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment of a teacher's pedagogical skills and content knowledge. The certification takes one to three years to complete.

While state licensing systems set the basic requirements to teach in each state, National Board Certified Teachers have demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. NBPTS certification identifies qualified teachers as leaders in their field, much like the certifications earned by experts in law and medicine. Completion of NBPTS's National Board Certification process signifies that the certificated teachers have developed and demonstrated the skills required of a true education professional.

"As the nation focuses on building the strongest possible teaching workforce, National Board Certification is the gold standard in affirming excellence in the classroom," said Ron Thorpe, NBPTS president and CEO. "These highly qualified teachers are true 'nation builders,' and are the educators who are best positioned to lead the ground-up movement our schools need to reach their potential."

A recent comprehensive study by the nonpartisan National Research Council found that students taught by board certified teachers make higher gains on achievement tests than students taught by other teachers. In fact, improved student learning and achievement are two key benefits of the programs and services provided through NBPTS.

NBPTS is also impacting education nationwide through additional professional development programs for school leaders, research and development on education policy and practices and through strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations which are also seeking to improve America's schools.

NBCTs embody what parents want for their kids, and these accomplished educators are well positioned to make a difference in their schools and communities.

For more information, please visit www.growgreatschools.org.

Congratulations to the following teachers:

• MOANI AIONA Hana High-Elementary
• PUALANI AKAKA Kualapu'u Elementary PCS
• NEIL BLOMBERG Kapolei High
• AMANDA BONNELL Waihee Elementary
• KORI BRIONES Jarrett Middle
• DANE CANIDA Moanalua High
• PAMELA CHUN Salt Lake Elementary
• LAUREL CLAY Kealakehe Intermediate
• MATTHEW DEELEY Kapolei High
• DAWN FRASER Kailua High
• EMILY HAINES-SWATEK Kekaulike High
• HANNAH HANCOCK Nanakuli Elementary
• KARON HANSEN Kaimuki Middle
• KARIN HANSEN DEL REY Kahuku High-Intermediate
• REBECCA HIRAKAMI Kalihi-kai Elementary
• TANYA ITO-SHIMA Waihee Elementary
• CORRINA KAY Waiakeawaena Elementary
• CRYSTAL KONDO Maui High
• SHELLY KOYANAGI Moanalua High
• MIKI KUBO Pukalani Elementary
• PRISCA LEE Roosevelt High
• JOYE LEFRANDT Makalapa Elementary
• LINDSAY LINDENBACH Kaimuki Middle
• JANIS MAKI Waipahu High
• JONATHON MEDEIROS Kauai High
• JENNIFER MIDDLETON Kamehameha III Elementary
• DIANE MOKUAU Molokai High
• SADIE MOSSMAN Kekaulike High
• SHAHINAZ NASSAR Wailuku Elementary
• CANDIS NISHIMITSU Pukalani Elementary
• SHELDON ORMSBY Mililani High
• LEE ANN OSHIRO Waikoloa Elementary & Middle
• LAURA PETERSON Molokai High
• SHILOH RICHARDSON Castle High
• MICHELLE RUNDBAKEN Kapaa High
• JOANNA SCHILLER Honaunau Elementary
• HARMONY SEIVERT Waiakea High
• BETH SENNER Hana High-Elementary
• LILI ANN SILVA Waianae Intermediate
• MARK SIMMS Lahainaluna High
• GWYNNE STATON King Intermediate
• AMY SWIDERSKI Kahuku High-Intermediate
• DANA TANIGAWA Waikele Elementary
• MARY ELIZABETH THOMPSON Waialua High & Intermediate
• MARC TOLENTINO Mililani High
• CYNTHIA TONG Mililani High
• MALIA VAUGHN Castle High
• JUDITH WAITE Kilauea Elementary
• HILLARY WATT Kekaulike High
• LYNN YAMADA Kekaulike High

About NBPTS
NBPTS is the definitive source of the highest standards and best practices for accomplished teaching, leading and learning. For a quarter century, we’ve set the bar for what it means to be a great teacher, and have provided the standards and framework needed to achieve that mark of distinction: the National Board Certified Teacher. Our reinvigorated mission includes an array of programs, including our principal certification currently being piloted nationwide, to support continuous school improvement. At a time when the nation’s emphasis on educational improvement is at an all-time high, NBPTS is uniquely positioned to play a broad role in the transformation of America’s schools.

6,200 TEACHERS EARN NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION:
TOTAL NEARS 100,000

Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Recognized Today at White House Event

WASHINGTON -- National Board Certification - the "gold standard" for teaching excellence - was celebrated today at a White House event heralding the newest class of 6,200 board certified teachers, which brings to nearly 100,000 the total number of board certified teachers in the U.S.

"National board certification is synonymous with great teaching. While our nation is focused on the need for the highest quality teachers, board certification truly is the gold standard," said Ronald Thorpe, president and CEO of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and White House Domestic Policy Director Melody Barnes welcomed a group of the newly certified teachers today to the White House with remarks focused on how the National Board process can lead to improved instruction and enhanced leadership in the profession.

Their remarks were followed by comments from three new board certified teachers:

• Robert Barnes, an exceptional needs specialist from Alabaster, Ala.
• Jacquelyn Sticca, an early childhood generalist from Chicago.
• Sunila Varghese, a science/early adolescence teacher from Gaithersburg, Md.

In addition, Michelle Kellman, a student of Ms. Varghese, spoke first-hand about the strengths of her teaching.

Former West Virginia Governor Bob Wise, who chairs the NBPTS, said, "These highly qualified teachers are true 'nation builders' and are positioned to lead the ground-up movement necessary to help students reach their full potential."

Today's event also paid tribute to the 25th anniversary of the Board, which is now underway.

Thorpe referred to two recent studies showing that more than half (55 percent) of all board certified teachers work in high-need schools (according to the National Center for Education Statistics) and to a National Research Council report that found students who were taught by board certified teachers show higher gains on achievement tests than those taught by other teachers.

Another four board certified teachers were showcased at today's event by participating in a panel with Secretary Duncan and 2011 Teaching Ambassador Fellow Geneviève DeBose, a recently certified teacher from New York City. On the panel were Laura Kretschmar of Oakland, CA, James Liou of Boston, Mark Bolt of Herndon, VA, and Daniel Brown of Washington, DC.

Following this morning's event, the Department of Education hosted a lunch and roundtable discussion with board certified teachers.

NBPTS is recognized as the source for the highest standards and practices that lead to improved teaching, leading and learning. A voluntary assessment program designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers, and to embed ongoing school improvement in schools nationwide, National Board Certification is achieved through performance-based assessment and testing that takes one to three years to complete.

While state teacher credentialing programs set the basic requirements to teach in each state, National Board Certified Teachers must demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices.

Completion of the NBPTS certification process signifies that teachers have developed and demonstrated the skills required of an accomplished education professional. By completing the certification renewal process, these accomplished teachers show that they continue to meet the nation's highest teaching standards.

NBPTS is also impacting education nationwide through additional professional development programs for school leaders, research and development on education policy and practices, and through strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations that also support ongoing improvement in America's schools.