Wisconsin celebrates 126 new and 44 renewed National Board Certified Teachers

MADISON — Wisconsin has 126 educators who earned national certification in 2017. An additional 44 teachers renewed their certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

The state was among seven nationwide that increased its total National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) by more than 10 percent. Currently, Wisconsin has 1,082 teachers who have earned the voluntary, performance-based credential. Research from across the country confirms that students taught by nationally certified teachers gain one to two months of instruction over students taught by those who do not have national certification.

“Congratulations to our National Board Certified Teachers,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers. “Those who have gone through the process call it the most transforming experience of their careers. They say it makes them better teachers for our kids and better representatives of teaching in their schools and communities.”

Nationwide, there were 5,470 teachers who earned new certification. Another 3,957 renewed their credential to bring the total number of certified teachers across the country to more than 118,000. National board certification is open to all educators who have a baccalaureate degree and three years of classroom experience in a public, private, or tribal school. The process for national certification is performance-based and peer-reviewed, requiring teachers to demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and practice in their subject area by completing three portfolio entries and a computer-based assessment.

In Wisconsin, newly certified teachers can request up to $2,000 to reimburse costs associated with earning national certification. These teachers can also qualify for a grant of $2,500 per year for the remainder of the five-year national certificate. The grant is doubled for teachers who work in a high-poverty school. Educators who successfully renew their certification may continue to receive annual grants from the state.

This year’s new board-certified teachers are the first to certify under the redesigned assessment, developed to be more flexible and accessible for teachers. Established in 1987, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an independent, nonprofit organization working to advance accomplished teaching for all students. The National Board Standards and the board’s certification process are created by teachers, for teachers.

NOTE: A list of new and renewed National Board Certified Teachers for 2017-18 is in the official news release.