Now that school's over and you've got some time to think, is anyone considering going for National Board Certification next year? According to the consortium National Board Certification Chicago,

The true value of earning the profession's highest distinction comes from the enhanced pedagogical skills teachers obtain upon finishing the NBC process. The descriptive, analytical and reflective writing about your practice will make the experience priceless while impacting the academic achievement of your students.

The value of NBC to teachers is also financial, with Illinois offering NBCTs a $3,000 per year bonus for up to ten years. Chicago teachers are eligible for additional awards through National Board Certification Chicago.

For support through the NBC process, try National Board Certification Chicago or Illinois National Board Professional Preparation and Support System. ISBE's website has more info on NBC for Illinois teachers, and the National Board itself has a good website with lots of information and links relevant for teachers nationwide.

I'm interested to start reviewing the literature on National Board Certification, especially in light of the recent flurry of interest in teacher retention. Could NBC be one of the tools we use to try to keep those highly educated new teachers in the profession not just for five years, but for 10, 15, 20 years? Perhaps the professional and intellectual support provided in the program is a piece of the puzzle of keeping talented teachers in the career.

Labels: conversations, resources