What is a National Board Certified Teacher? 

A National Board Certified teacher is a teacher who has completed the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification process and achieved the minimum score of weighted 110 after initial certification. National Board Certification is completely voluntary but is an advanced certification for PreK-12 educators that helps teachers identify teaching expertise through a performance-based, peer-reviewed assessment, which culminates in the four components of the Initial Certification and the two components for the Maintenance of Certification (MOC Process). 

The process is extremely rigorous and provides a lot of professional development for teachers going through the process. In fact, the certification process can be transformative to help establish the quintessential foundations of what accomplished teachers should be doing within their classrooms. Through this process, teachers embody the architecture of...

The National Board Certification process for teachers is broken up into what is called four components. Component 1 National Board Certification is completed at a testing center via the computer where you are tested on your content knowledge and pedagogical practice from the National Board Certification certificate area that you have chosen to pursue. Now this probably isn't a test that you're used to. There are 45 multiple choice questions on a part of it that are called selected response items and then there are constructed response exercises which are a little bit more than like an essay question. Through Component 1 you will have the ability to study some sample scenarios and the content being scored. You will be able to practice the writing for Component 1 through the rubrics provided in the scoring section of the candidate guide.  Stimuli that you must look at and analyze for some prompts can sometimes be tricky for teachers to “off the cuff” analyze in a high...

Borrowing a classroom for the NBPTS MOC process - are you thinking…

 Do I need to borrow a classroom for my NB MOC?

• What type of classroom should I borrow for NBPTS MOC?

• Will I be a bother for another teacher when I ask to borrow his/her class for my NBPTS renewal?

To complete the components for either the initial NBPTS certification process or the NBPTS MOC process, you must teach students within the age band dictated by that certificate area’s directions.  In addition, many certificate areas that are content specific require you to also teach lessons only in that content area.  

 Many times teachers have changed subject areas or grade levels during the period of time between NBPTS initial certification and NBPTS MOC renewal. This change requires them to find a classroom that follows the must haves for their initial certification area.  

 So, if you have found yourself in this situation know that borrowing a...

So for many teachers starting the MOC renewal process for NBPTS is a daunting tasks. PTSD from initial certification is still not that far gone, and the idea of having to start again is exasperating; especially given the circumstances with teacher workload and mandates being at an all time high. 

From my teacher coaching program for NBPTS, I have developed six of the top tips for National Board Teacher Certification for Maintenance of Certification (MOC).  I hope these six tips for NB MOC will help guide you as you begin the process of renewing your National Board certification! So let the top tips begin:

1. Fully understand what a professional growth experience (PGE) is and what it is not.  Many teachers start by reading the manual for the National Board Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Process. This manual can be found on the NBPTS Website. The manual is 51 pages and is loaded with technical details that for many cause undue stress because of the technical breakdown...

If you're asking yourself, “Is the National board teacher certification worth it?” I'm here to tell you - yes it is! 

 Through this process you'll become a diagnostic and reflective teacher. A teacher who understands the things that really matter to your students. You will become a professional that can diagnose the smallest needs and build from those needs to strengths. You will make adjustments in your instruction sooner and that adjustment will support your students in being able to dive deeper into their learning. 

Many U.S. states have initiatives that support teachers working toward National Board Certification.  These initiatives may include a pay raise for the advanced certification like doctors, speech pathologists and other professionals get when reaching their National certification level. For example, in 2022, Maryland unveiled a blueprint for bringing National Board Certified teachers to Maryland’s lowest performing...

So you want to complete the National Board Certification process in one year or you may be saying when is the best time to start the National Board certification process if I want to complete it in one year? The short answer is it should be started as early as possible in the school year. Many teachers start working through the standards for the process in the summer before they actually begin the process and others learn the standards as they go along.

I’ve developed an Initial Certification Challenge to help you jumpstart into National Board Certification.  This three day pre-recorded event will help you in getting started on National Board Certification and help you figure out when you should complete each component of the process. This challenge will take you through how the process works, how an assessor scores your portfolios and how to prepare to earn a passing score on each component for NBPTS.

I've also taken the time to create an NBPTS calendar of...

Congratulations to all the NBCTs who Achieved or Renewed NBCT Status for 2021!

I would personally like to congratulate the GROWTH of all of the teachers, including those that achieved initial certification, those that renewed their certification, and even those who have the opportunity to Retake and improve their scores. 

While score release is an exciting time, for others it can be a time of mixed emotions with candidates not achieving the scores they wish to certify. If you or someone you know did not receive the scores for the initial certification process desired and need support in understanding the score report and developing a plan to retake, make sure to sign up for one of my coaching programs  at www.traceybryantstuckey.com.

Congratulations again from me, Tracey Bryant Stuckey, and the entire team over here on TraceyBryantStuckey.com! Keep Growing BIG my friends!

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards first published “What Teachers Should Know and Be Able to Do” in 1989.  They later updated the document in 2016. The NBPTS Standards now drive the instruction of over 125,000 NBCTs nationwide in 25 certificate areas.

The NBPTS standards are written as a guide for what TEACHERS should be doing to affect student learning. These standards and the fact that you can connect your teaching practice to them in writing, help the assessors know you understand what is affecting growth in your students and why/how you can continue to see future impact on student learning.

State or Common Core Content Standards – What are they and why do they matter?

State or Common Core Standards for instruction are written as what STUDENTS should be doing to prove mastery of grade level skills they should know and be able to do in each content area. These standards drive content and pedagogical planning and instruction by teachers...

How do I understand what the Portfolio Questions are asking me to do, and what is the best way to plan to answer them? This is the 24-million-dollar question that almost every National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) candidate asks themselves at one point or another during the initial or retake portfolio process! The questions seem vague and repetitive at first glance.  Then you realize what it truly is they want you to do. The National Board (NBPTS) wants you to unpack the question to fit your situation.  We are all different.  Our student population is not the same, and our professional experiences are unique to the communities we serve.  Therefore, you must tackle the written commentary portion of National Board Certification for Teachers (NBPTS) from the lens of a doctor.  Let’s look at an example of how this would look:

The first questions in a written commentary set are descriptive in nature.  THINK & WRITE DESCRIPTIVELY!

The doctor...

Accomplished teachers are committed to teaching children in ways that are fair and equitable. It is significant that NBCTs have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to address inequities and promote fair and equitable approaches to instructing students – not always equal!  In addition, as a NBCT you will also focus on developing a learning environment where students appreciate the diversity of their peers and the diverse opinions of others.  NBCTs empower students to treat each other respectfully and in turn the teacher practices fairness in his/her practice as well.  Most importantly, accomplished teachers understand and appreciate the individual differences and unique needs of the students they teach.  Diversity in a NBCT’s classroom is represented by multiple perspectives and sensitivity to the individual needs of all students.

10 Must Dos to create a Safe, Fair, and Equitable Learning Environment

Use a variety of teaching methods to reach all...