PPG

NBCTs are and continue to be accomplished teachers. Their accomplishment reflects an inherent desire to be involved in professional growth to increase their impact on student learning. The professional growth activities in which an NBCT is involved are complex, and include development of certificate-specific content knowledge, pedagogical and technological skills, obtained through workshops, courses and readings of the latest professional literature; and they are ongoing, often beginning before certification and expanding like a web into a variety of professional growth areas. This ongoing process takes on new meaning from the moment of certification and continues whether the NBCT focuses on the pre-K through 12 classroom, on mentoring other teachers, or supporting candidates for National Board Certification.

The National Board Profile of Professional Growth is designed to promote continued professional involvement consistent with the high and rigorous standards that certification represents. It provides an avenue for NBCTs to articulate and examine what certification still means. It is a healthy reminder that certification is one step in becoming a better educator, and it provides a singular focus that increased student learning is still what an NBCT is all about.

National Board Certification is issued for a period of 10 years. A National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) must complete the National Board Profile of Professional Growth prior to the expiration date of his or her certificate and can only renew certification in his or her original certificate area. An NBCT may formally begin work on the Profile of Professional Growth as early as year 8 of his or her certification period.  NBCTs are given two opportunities to attempt renewal.

Although the National Board Profile of Professional Growth is separated into three components, its impact must be viewed as a single entity. It has been designed so that NBCTs show the connections they make between their continued professional growth and student learning. The following description of the Profile of Professional Growth is based on the current pilot version and is subject to change:

• Component #1 requires submission of responses to prompts related to 4 activities that, although they may have begun before certification, have evolved to become the focus of professional growth since certification. These professional growth experiences, including effective and appropriate use of technology and current knowledge of the field, are ongoing and multi-faceted. They must reflect the NBCT's continuous commitment and contributions to the professional activities that ultimately have an impact on student learning.
• Component #2 focuses on the application of one of the professional growth experiences featured in Component #1. The component requires a video in which the NBCT demonstrates preK-12 classroom teaching. The video and accompanying written commentary must demonstrate student learning in an environment that promotes equity and appreciation of diversity as well as the application of certificate-specific content knowledge.
• Component #3 focuses on the application of a second professional growth experience featured in Component #1. This component offers several options, including the choice of featuring work with preK-12 learners or with professional colleagues. The basis for this component must be a different professional growth experience from that used in Component #2. 

Throughout each of the three components, the NBCT's activities must demonstrate meaningful and rigorous learning experiences tied to certificate-specific content knowledge, and in responding to the prompts, the commentary must reflect the fact that the NBPTS Standards continue to be embedded in the NBCT's practice.  The final section is Reflection in which the NBCT analyzes the connections and patterns among all three components of the Profile of Professional Growth from the perspective of their role as an educator. The NBCT must focus on challenges encountered, as well as discuss plans for continued professional growth and efforts to impact student learning.