Coming together as advocates for NBCT candidates and educators
by Lisa Hirkaler, NBCT and Dr. Rebecca McLelland-Crawley, NBCT
National Board Certification is considered the “gold standard” in education. Throughout the certification process, teachers must demonstrate knowledge of students, standards and content. A portfolio of accomplished teaching contains video footage of classroom teaching and a reflection of the lesson. The entire process is built on the five core propositions of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), which state:
- Teachers are committed to students and their learning.
- Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students.
- Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring students’ learning.
- Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience.
- Teachers are members of learning communities.
A core group of educators with experience as National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) has been reborn out of the previous New Jersey NBCT Network and is now called the Advocates for Candidates and Educators of New Jersey (ACE-NJ). The goal of this group is to offer support and acknowledge educators who are going through the process of achieving certification. We know that the process is difficult at times, especially when looking at one’s practice and reflecting on your success as an educator in the field.
Why should one consider this personal journey? Your reasons are your own. There may be financial incentives or stipends, but that can vary from district to district. Accomplished teachers typically seek out ways to level up professionally where it benefits students. NBCTs are aware of how their practice impacts student learning and they make intentional choices to benefit their students now and in the future.
Teachers who have gone through the Board-certification process say that it is the most valuable and transformative professional development they have ever received. The opportunity to connect professional learning with classroom practice brings to life a teacher’s experience, helping them reflect on individual student learning needs. It can also reinvigorate your passion for teaching!
In a time when teacher shortages are nationwide and many voices outside of the education world recommend loosening standards, we argue that our students need highly accomplished professionals in their schools. Setting higher standards for teachers and demonstrating accomplished teaching means better learning by students.
According to NBPTS, “Students of Board-certified teachers learn more than their peers without Board-certified teachers. Studies have also found that the positive impact of having a Board-certified teacher is even greater for BIPOC [Black, Indigenous and People of Color] and low-income students.”
The process is highly reflective and compels the candidates to evaluate instructional practices and professional development plans unlike any other. Achieving the advanced credential does not make NBCTs better than other teachers, it simply makes them better at what they do. The process offers you a chance to grow as a professional while investing in your craft.
Without question, the state of New Jersey has exceptional educators. Our school system is consistently ranked in the top 3 in our country—achieving the Number 1 ranking for the last several years. New Jersey is home to hundreds of National Board Certified teachers, and there is always room for more.
Curious about where to get started and how to connect with the New Jersey network of NBCTs? Reach out to any of the members of the network by searching the NBPTS directory or email the Advocates for Candidates and Educators of NJ directly at acenjnbcts@gmail.com. A great place to start researching the process is by visiting nbpts.org. We would love to have you join us!
Lisa Hirkaler is an art educator with the Vernon Township School District in Sussex County and Dr. Rebecca McLelland-Crawley is a gifted and talented teacher resource specialist with the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District in Mercer County.