California Assemblywoman Julia Brownley was presented with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Legislator of the Year Award on Saturday, May 30 at National University’s annual National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) reception. More than 50 NBCTs attended the reception, including alumni and teachers from across the nation.
National University is a major regional hub for professional teaching standards, serving as a NBPTS Professional Teaching Development Center. Twenty-five percent of the 366 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) for California named in 2009 earned a degree, completed a credential, or graduated from the NBCT course certificate or support programs at National University.
Through its NBCT Academy and Online Collaborative Networking Session, National University offers three support options to meet the needs of teachers seeking National Board Certification. All options provide either graduate credit or Continuing Education Units.
National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to recognize and reward accomplished teachers.
“Leading teachers throughout the United States seek National Board Certification because of its reputation for quality and the potential it brings for increased earning power,” said NU-NBCT Program Director and National Board Certified Teacher Ronarae Adams, M.Ed. She added that the Master of Arts in Teaching with a specialization in National Board Certification is one of the University’s most popular education programs, enabling experienced teachers to obtain the most widely recognized certificate in the country.
NBCT candidates frequently invest between 200 and 400 hours of time in the rigorous certification process, and many report that candidate support has helped them tremendously, according to the NBPTS.
NBPTS Outreach Directors Kay Garcia and Linda Manuel were at National University with Dr. Adams to welcome Assemblywoman Brownley and present her with an award in recognition for her work in advancing certification and state stipends for certification.
The NBPTS also acknowledged National University and Interim President Patricia E. Potter for her support of the Professional Teaching Development Center, and for her sustained efforts to advance NBCT certification programs and recognize NBCT alumni.
“President Potter was instrumental in generating $100,000 in scholarships that jumpstarted student interest and enrollments in our programs,” said Dr. Adams. “Because of her efforts, National University’s Professional Teaching Development Center was the first to be officially acknowledged by the Board for our efforts and successes.”
