Washington leads nation in new NBCTs
Washington ranked No. 1 in the nation for new National Board Certified teachers in 2017, according to numbers released today by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Overall, Washington also ranked 3rd in the nation for total NBCTs, with 10,135.
“Washington’s educators are among the best in the country in large part because of the support we offer them to grow and develop,” said Kim Mead, President of the Washington Education Association (WEA). “I’m proud of the role WEA plays in supporting our members pursuing their national certification with high-quality training and peer support through this rigorous process. Our educators’ commitment to excellence is a reflection of their commitment to our students.”
According to an NBPTS release, Anna-Melissa Lyons, a Hockinson Education Association member who teaches at Hockinson Middle School in Brush Prairie, WA, was one of the teachers becoming an NBCT.
“As a teacher, my number one goal is to positively impact my students," Lyons said. "The process of completing my National Board Certification gave me a new confidence in my teaching and that confidence carried over into the classroom to improve my students’ learning. I was already a reflective teacher, but the process caused me to really analyze why I do what I do in the classroom and if it truly benefits my students. Although not perfect, analyzing my practice showed me that I am an accomplished teacher."
Gov. Jay Inslee and Chris Reykdal, Superintendent of Public Instruction, offered their congratulations in a statement from OSPI.
“Congratulations to all the newly-certified teachers and those who renewed their certificates,” said Chris Reykdal, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “It takes a lot of sustained and intentional work to become a National Board Certified teacher, and it’s a testament to the dedication of our teachers that so many continue to pursue it.”
“The popularity of the program has taken a statewide effort,” Reykdal continued. “Governor Jay Inslee, the Washington Education Association, and the Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession – as well as broad bipartisan legislative support – has not only put us on the NBCT map, but has kept us there.”
“Washington’s teachers are some of the finest in the country and this additional certification will make a tremendous difference to their students, schools, and communities,” Gov. Inslee said. “There is no more important job than a teacher as their work impacts countless lives and futures. I applaud these Nationally Board Certified teachers for their hard work and determination.”
Look for future WEA training opportunities here.
Washington NBCTs for 2017
- Number of new NBCTs: 1,434 (national rank: 1st)
- Number of renewed certificates: 533
- Total number of NBCTs: 10,135 (national rank: 3rd)