News Room

On Friday, November 6, Mary Hatwood Futrell was awarded the 2020 James A. Kelly Award for Advancing Accomplished Teaching. The award was presented during a meeting of a semi-annual meeting of the Board of Directors for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. “A number of distinguished people have won this award over the years including President Bill Clinton. When I heard that Mary Futrell would win the award this year, I was thrilled,” said James Kelly, the award’s namesake and first president of the National Board. “Mary is committed to the concept of high and rigorous standards for teachers.…

ARLINGTON, Va. — November 6, 2020 — Dr. Mary Hatwood Futrell, former NEA President and former dean of the George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development, will receive the National Board’s James A. Kelly Award for Advancing Accomplished Teaching on November 6, 2020. The Kelly Award, named after James A. Kelly, Founding President and CEO of the National Board, recognizes and honors individuals who have contributed to the advancement of accomplished teaching. Dr. Futrell, who began her teaching career in the segregated schools of Alexandria, Virginia boasts a 60-year career working tirelessly on behalf of educators and…

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards releases new data highlighting how teaching has changed and key challenges the profession faces during the pandemic. Arlington, VA — October 1, 2020 – The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards released survey data detailing the views of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) on teaching during the pandemic. More than 3,000 NBCTs across the country completed the survey.  NBCTs are teachers who have demonstrated they meet the profession’s standards for accomplished teaching practice by successfully completing the National Board’s advanced, voluntary, professional certification. Survey findings include: Three-quarters are working more hours during COVID-19…

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is proud to announce this year’s class of Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) winners includes 27 National Board Certified Teachers. The award recognizes outstanding K-12 teachers in the field of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science.  Peggy Brookins, a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) and the President and CEO of the National Board, said “We’re proud of all awardees and especially acknowledge the NBCTs who prove every day that they teach to the highest standards in the profession. STEM fields are so important because they open the…

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards announced today that it has recently been awarded a grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation totaling $700,000 over two years. The National Board’s focus with the grant resources is to accelerate Mississippi’s trajectory towards becoming a national model for Board-certified teachers.  Like many states, Mississippi struggles with teacher shortages, which negatively impact the quality of student learning. At the same time, teachers of color make up less than one-third of the teacher workforce in the state, compounding inequities for students of color, which make up more than 55% of Mississippi students.…

ARLINGTON, VA — June 18, 2020 — In 2019 and 2020, 15 states have advanced policies to support and incentivize teachers to become National Board certified, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards announced today.  With these new mandates in place, 30 states now have policies that encourage teachers to pursue National Board certification, and help ensure that every student benefits from an accomplished teacher. Decades of research show that students of National Board-certified teachers (NBCTs) learn more — gaining six to eight weeks of additional student learning as compared to their peers. “High-quality teaching is the most important in-school…

The disruption of traditional learning environments has had an instant impact on students, parents, and teachers. In support of mental health awareness month and in partnership with Facebook, the National Board held a live panel on May 20 to provide Tools to Help Students Manage Their Digital Wellbeing.  This webinar was part of the National Board’s Core Connections series, which has included 35 webinars since March 16. Replays and resources, including certificates of attendance are available for all events including the digital wellbeing webinar. The conversation was moderated by Ph.D., NBCT and President of Learn ELAtion, Stacey Donaldson, and provided…

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards releases new brief highlighting ways that policy leaders can support teacher leadership Arlington, VA — May 4, 2020 – The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards released a policy brief today highlighting examples of how National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) from across the country are using their leadership skills to help students, families and communities weather the current COVID-19 crisis. The brief also includes recommendations for school, district and state leaders on how to support teacher leadership both during this crisis and in the long-term.  The brief, entitled Teacher Leadership in Uncertain Times: Recommendations…

The Arizona Board of Education recently announced that educators in the state who are applying for state certification renewal may now use National Board Certification in lieu of clock hours of professional development. This comes after Arizona made a $15,000,000 investment in the Teachers Academy in 2019.  Learn more. State Superintendent Kathy Hoffman tweeted her support of the policy win. Because of the rigorous process to qualify for and maintain a @NBPTS certificate or CCC-SLP ASHA certification, these educators have exceeded the clock hours required for renewal & no longer need to submit verification of professional development hours or college…

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards announced today that 11 school districts have been named National Board Accomplished Districts for their investment of resources to support advancing quality teaching through National Board Certification. These districts join 81 accomplished districts designated earlier this year in their efforts to encourage teachers to be their best and effectively drive student learning. “Each of these districts have taken extraordinary steps to impact student learning through National Board certification. Their commitment – through financial resources and dedication to creative programming is having an impact on teachers and students and I’m proud to recognize that…