Montgomery, Ala. – Teaching quality in Alabama classrooms took another leap forward with the announcement of Alabama’s 224 newest National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards® (NBPTS). Alabama’s NBCTs increased 12.6 percent from 2009 to 2010.
Alabama ranks 11th nationwide in the number of new NBCTs and 13th in the total number of NBCTs over time. The 2010 class brings Alabama’s total number of NBCTs to 2,007. Alabama NBCTs join the ranks of more than 8,600 accomplished teachers nationwide who achieved certification in 2010, bringing the total number of teachers certified by the NBPTS to more than 91,000.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said of the nation’s current class of NBCTs, “You are some of the best teachers in the country getting better. The example of being a lifelong learner, of challenging yourself to continue to improve is an amazing example for our students.”
Alabama’s top five school systems in total number of NBCTs are Jefferson County, Hoover City, Birmingham City, Vestavia Hills City and Baldwin County. Alabama NBCTs include Teachers of the Year, Milken Educators and Presidential Awardees for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
“National Board Certification is changing the culture of learning in the classrooms, schools and districts – leveraging NBCTs to build human capital – especially in high-need schools,” said Gov. Bob Wise, NBPTS Board of Directors Chairman and former governor of West Virginia.
“Achieving National Board Certification demonstrates a true dedication to the profession of teaching and more importantly dedication to students,” said Deputy State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eddie R. Johnson. “These teachers are making positive changes in the classroom, resulting in better students that improve our school systems and education communities.”
Alabama’s financial commitment to the program is to provide an annual salary supplement based on the budgetary appropriations. A complete list of Alabama’s NBCTs is available in the online NBCT Directory. Alabama’s 2010 State Profile also is available online.
For more information, visit the NBPTS Web site, or contact James R. Minichello, NBPTS Media Relations Director, at 703-465-2171 or jminichello@nbpts.org.
The NBPTS was founded in 1987 as an independent, non-profit, non-partisan and non-governmental organization to establish high and rigorous standards for accomplished teachers and to raise the level of teaching excellence in classrooms across America. National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to develop, recognize and retain accomplished teachers.
Watch "National Board Certified Teachers: Excellence, Leadership, Results," a video presentation that delivers real-life, classroom-focused examples of NBCTs making a positive difference in students’ lives.
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