National Strategy Forum Report
(PDF - 230kb) In advance of the National Strategy Forum, Oct. 4-5, 2007, the Center for Teaching Quality has prepared a report that presents the state summit outcomes and outlines other initiatives to this complex and systemic challenge.
Support
Targeted High Need Initiative Program
In 2002 the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards created the Targeted High Need Initiative (THNI) program to increase the number of NBCTs in high-poverty urban and rural schools. THNI partners with state and local education agencies and educational institutions that serve high-needs communities to support NBCTs and National Board Certification candidates.
2006-2007 THNI Sites and Coordinators
The THNI program currently has 29 locations nationwide. THNI districts identify candidates, provide pre-candidacy training and offer mentor support to candidates seeking National Board Certification.
- Alabama -- Maggie Stringer
- Little Rock, Ark. -- Marion Woods
- Phoenix, Ariz. -- Lisa Kelley
- Compton, Calif. -- E. Marie Truby
- District of Columbia
- Florida (four sites) -- Bob Husbands
- Atlanta, Ga. -- Catalina Sibilsky
- South, Ga. -- Jan Godwin
- Illinois -- Lynn Gaddis
- New Orleans, La. -- Lelia McCullum
- Prince George's County, Md. -- Caroline Vaughn-Young
- Michigan -- Nancy Flanagan
- Jackson, Miss. -- Tempe O'Nan
- Jackson State, Miss. -- Vanetta Kenerson
- Tupelo, Miss. -- Denecise Salters
- Clark County, Nev. -- Cyndi Herron
- New Jersey -- Janet Tisdale
- Rochester, N.Y. -- Stephen O'Hara
- Roosevelt, N.Y. -- Dr. Marlene Zakierski
- Project Reclaim, N.C. -- Patrice Faison
- North Dakota -- Amy Benz
- Philadelphia, Pa. -- Alwina Green
- Corpus Christi, Texas -- Suzanne Ransleben
- Dallas, Texas -- Christine Koski
- Houston, Texas -- Angela Prince
- Virginia -- Tom Farley
- Seattle, Wash. -- Jim Meadows
- Milwaukee, Wis. -- Wendy Rowley
South, Ga.
Jan Godwin, Coordinator
"Although I have only 11 candidates in the South Georgia THNI program, there were 3 other teachers who attended the rallies that received full funding from other sources and thus are not in the THNI program. Therefore, we actually recruited 14 candidates. Some potential candidates decided to wait a year to begin, so I will follow up with them for the next THNI program."
Prince George's County, Md.
Ayana English Brown, NBCT
"My greatest success since recruiting in March for NBPTS was the recruitment of four minority teachers in my school who now are 2007-2008 National Board Candidates. I informed them of the informational meeting and presented them with brochures and literature on the National Board. I also critique their essays that they had to submit when they applied for the certification. I really did not have any barriers to overcome because the principal is very supportive of the National Board Certification by promoting and informing her staff about the National Board Certification process."
"As a THNI site the greatest barrier we overcame was getting our district to support us with financial support, meeting space, supplies, incentives, etc. ... We were able to overcome our barriers mostly because we have a strong advocate for the National Board in our district who currently serves as Vice Chair for the National Board. Dr. Rebecca Palacios' drive has really put Corpus Christi on the map in Texas for National Board."