Midland ISD seeks to recruit, retain and support National Board Certified Teachers

District joins National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Permian Strategic Partnership in efforts across Southeast New Mexico and West Texas.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (National Board) announces today that Midland ISD (MISD) is joining an initiative in which the National Board and the Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP) are working to expand and accelerate the work of ensuring more students in the Permian Basin region are taught by accomplished, National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs). Midland is joining districts in Texas and New Mexico already engaged in this work.

More than a decade of research shows that students of National Board Certified Teachers learn more than students taught by other teachers. Investing in schools and their teachers in Midland and other Permian Basin communities now will pay off for generations of students and their families. 

“We are so excited about this work to support educators in the Permian Basin region of Texas and New Mexico. NBCTs are leaders, positively impacting students, schools and communities. The PSP partnership will provide financial support, mentoring and resources for teachers. It will make a difference,” said Peggy Brookins, NBCT, president and CEO of the National Board.  

By supporting teachers to achieve National Board certification, this project will help mitigate many common teacher recruitment and retention barriers. This project will support teachers to increase their salary, provide them with meaningful professional learning opportunities, and give them the tools they need for career advancement. This investment will make it more attractive for teachers to come to and stay in these schools. 

“The PSP is committed to accelerating educational improvements and building a robust academic environment across the Permian Basin. Our teachers are the foundation for inspiring students to succeed, and we must provide them with every opportunity to enrich their personal and professional development, and encourage them to build life-long careers in our schools. Working with the National Board to expand this partnership will positively impact our educational environment for years to come,” said Tracee Bentley, president and CEO of the PSP. 

This project will support approximately 5% of teachers on each district’s teaching staff per year, to pursue Board-certification. Many of these teachers will become Board-certified. All participating teachers, even those who go through the certification process but don’t achieve, will improve their practice and have a positive impact on student learning. 

“National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students and schools.We are excited about this opportunity that provides teachers another avenue to develop and grow, while also increasing their compensation for years to come. We thank our community partners for prioritizing education and always thinking about classroom teachers and innovative ways to support their work”, said Woodrow Bailey, Chief Human Resource Officer, Midland ISD. 

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About the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (www.nbpts.org

The founding mission of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is to advance the quality of teaching and learning by: maintaining high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do; providing a national voluntary system certifying teachers who meet these standards, and advocating related education reforms to integrate National Board Certification in American education and to capitalize on the expertise of National Board Certified Teachers. Recognized as the “gold standard” in teacher certification, the National Board believes higher standards for teachers means better learning for students.

About the Permian Strategic Partnership

The Permian Strategic Partnership aims to strengthen and improve the quality of life for Permian Basin residents by partnering with local leaders to develop and implement strategic plans that foster superior schools, safer roads, quality healthcare, affordable housing and a trained workforce. The companies involved with the PSP will bring people, expertise, resources and leadership to develop solutions in partnership with local leaders and communities. Learn more at www.permianpartnership.org.

About Midland ISD

Midland ISD (MISD) is a diverse district of 26,000 students and 3,000 staff members striving for Excellence for All.