News & Media
Huntsville, AL on Track for Nation’s Highest Concentration of NBCTs
November 4, 2025
Business and education leaders mark $1 million milestone to expand teacher excellence across North Alabama. HUNTSVILLE, AL. – November 4, 2025 The Huntsville Committee of 100 (C100), in partnership with The Schools Foundation (TSF) and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (National Board), announced today that Huntsville/Madison County has raised $1 million to support 500 new National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) across Huntsville City, Madison City, and Madison County Schools, placing the community on track to have the highest concentration of NBCTs in the nation of comparable MSAs (Metropolitan Statistical Areas). The milestone represents a five-year, business-led…
Read MoreNational Board Standards Update: What’s up with the What Book?
March 4, 2025
ARLINGTON, VA. – March 4, 2025 The National Board is currently revising its standards, starting with What Teachers Should Know and Be Able to Do (also known as the What Book). The What Book Committee–a group of ten National Board Certified Teachers with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise–has completed its revision. The updated explication of the Five Core Propositions speaks to educators across certificate areas and learning communities, describing accomplished knowledge, skills, and abilities in a non-prescriptive manner to advance the professional practice of preK-12 educators addressing unique needs and requirements throughout the country. By Teachers, For Teachers Stakeholder input played a critical part in…
Read MoreThe National Board Remains Committed to Advancing Our Mission and Vision
February 7, 2025
ARLINGTON, VA. – February 7, 2025 The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (National Board), established in 1987, is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to advance accomplished teaching for all students. The National Board partners with many organizations in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors to help us advance our mission. We are a professional certification organization, not a federal agency or a part of the United States Department of Education. The National Board acknowledges the rapidly changing political environment. We remain deeply committed to thoughtfully and strategically advancing the National Board’s mission and vision. We want to reaffirm…
Read MoreNational Board Celebrates Team NBCT Week and Announces Thousands of Educators Achieve National Board Certification
February 3, 2025
ARLINGTON, VA. – January 27, 2025 The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards announced today that 4,355 educators became National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs), and 4,884 educators maintained their certification in the 2023-2024 school year. These accomplishments bring the total number of NBCTs to more than 141,000. National Board Certified Teachers uphold the profession’s highest standards, profoundly improving learning outcomes for students and making a lasting impact on schools and communities. By pursuing Board certification, these educators have demonstrated an unwavering dedication to their student’s success. This week, January 27-31, the National Board is celebrating #TeamNBCT Week, a week-long campaign…
Read MoreA Tribute to Dr. Lee Shulman: A Visionary Leader and Passionate Advocate for Education
January 8, 2025
ARLINGTON, VA. – January 8, 2025 Today, we honor and celebrate the life of Dr. Lee Shulman—a visionary leader, a passionate advocate for education, and a dear friend whose impact on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (National Board) and the lives of countless educators cannot be overstated. It’s difficult to capture the breadth of Lee’s contributions to education and his profound influence on my journey. Lee embodied the belief that teaching is a noble profession, one that deserves recognition and respect. He dedicated his life to elevating the voices of educators, and by establishing the National Board, he…
Read MoreNational Board for Professional Teaching Standards Announces New Addition to Board of Directors
December 5, 2024
ARLINGTON, VA. – December 05, 2024 – The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) announced today the election of Princess Moss, Vice President of the National Education Association, to its Board of Directors. "I am thrilled to welcome Princess Moss as the newest member of our Board of Directors. Our Board represents a diverse array of expertise and perspectives, and I am confident that Princess will play a vital role in advancing our mission," said Peggy Brookins, NBCT, President and CEO of the National Board. Princess Moss was elected during the National Board’s November meeting. A respected elementary music…
Read MoreNational Board Standards Update: Refreshed Standards for Literacy Instruction
August 27, 2024
ARLINGTON, VA. – August 27, 2024 The National Board has refreshed standards documents for certificate areas that discuss literacy instruction. Newly posted documents include the following: Updated Early Childhood Generalist Standards and a separate addendum highlighting changes between the 3rd and 4th editions Updated Literacy: Reading-Language Arts Standards and a separate addendum highlighting changes between the 2nd and 3rd editions Updated Middle Childhood Generalist Standards and a separate addendum highlighting changes between the 3rd and 4th editions Changes to the standards remove descriptions of teaching practices and terminology no longer in general professional use or supported by pedagogical research, as determined by National Board Certified Teachers. No new standards of practice…
Read MoreNew Multi-Million Dollar Program to Recruit 900 New National Board Certified Black Teachers
July 11, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CA. [July 11, 2024] – The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), in generous partnership with Ballmer Group, announced a new multi-million dollar initiative to recruit Black teachers in California to be new candidates for National Board certification over the next three years. The new program, called the California Black Educator Initiative (CBEI), will offer Black educators pursuing National Board certification in California opportunities for community building, incentives, professional learning, and a menu of support. The initiative, focusing on supporting 900 Black educators predominantly in the Los Angeles area, is set to impact the community significantly. By…
Read MoreNational Board Standards Update: Revising the National Board Standards
June 26, 2024
ARLINGTON, VA. – June 26, 2024 The National Board is revising its standards, starting with What Teachers Should Know and Be Able to Do (also known as the What Book). The What Book contains the Five Core Propositions. They address critical aspects of accomplished teaching practice: knowledge of students and subjects, responsibility for student learning and professional reflection, and membership in learning communities. The title and topic of each Core Proposition will remain the same. The revision will update their descriptions to indicate professional advances and highlight the importance of belonging for all students and teachers. The What Book Committee, comprised of ten National Board Certified Teachers from various…
Read MoreNational Board for Professional Teaching Standards Celebrates Six NBCTs Named CCSSO State Teachers of the Year
May 1, 2024
Arlington, VA – The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is proud to congratulate the six National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) named State Teachers of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). These outstanding teachers have demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and passion in their classrooms, profoundly impacting the lives of their students and the education community. The six honorees are: Jeff Norris, NBCT – 6th Grade Math – Oak Mountain Middle School – Alabama Cat Walker, NBCT – High School Science – Dimond High School – Alaska Louise Smith, NBCT – 7th & 8th Grade…
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