Joseph A. Aguerrebere Jr., president of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), will join National University in hosting its second annual reception to honor California's National Board Certified Teachers on Saturday, March 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at National University's administrative headquarters in La Jolla.
National Board Certification is accepted throughout the United States as a mark of professional teaching excellence and is the highest certificate offered in the teaching profession. It is a voluntary process, requiring an extensive series of performance-based assessments that includes teaching portfolios, student work samples, videotapes and thorough analyses of each candidate's classroom teaching and student learning. Candidates must also complete a series of written exercises that probe their subject-matter knowledge and their understanding of how to best teach those subjects to their students. The process can take from one to three years to complete.
"National Board Certified Teachers are leaders in every sense," said Rae Adams, Director of NBCT Programs at National University. "We organized this event to provide them with the recognition they deserve, and to encourage and support other teachers who endeavor to undertake the rigorous process."
As a prerequisite, National Board Certification candidates must possess at least a bachelor's degree, three years of teaching experience and state certification as required. Fewer than half of National Board Certification candidates achieve certification on their first attempt; nevertheless, most find it to be an invaluable experience.
"Candidates tell us each year -- whether they achieve certification or not -- that pursuing National Board Certification is the best and most meaningful professional development of their careers," said NBPTS President Joseph A. Aguerrebere Jr. in a 2004 interview with Education World. NBPTS is the independent, nonprofit organization which administers the National Board Certification program.
Last November NBPTS announced that 443 California teachers had achieved National Board Certification in 2004, bringing the statewide total to 3,081 – the most of any state in the union. Nationwide, 8,056 teachers earned National Board certification last year, bringing the U.S. total to 40,200.
"National Board Certification is a tremendous achievement," said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "It is not an easy process, which is why we should be proud of the teachers who received this important distinction."
"It is thrilling to know that more than 20,000 of America's finest teachers put their teaching accomplishments on the line this year to seek the rigorous National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification," said U.S. Rep. Susan A. Davis, who is slated to attend the March 19 event. "Their willingness to submit their classroom skills to videotaping, self-reflective evaluation, and real situation testing truly proves that they are 'highly qualified teachers.' "
National University prepares more candidates for single subject, multiple subject and special education teaching credentials than any other single institution of higher education in California, according to the most recent figures released by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).
Graduates and credential completers from National University's School of Education are recognized as some of the best educators in California, according to independent assessments from the National Blue Ribbon School competition, the California Distinguished School Program, various Teacher of the Year competitions and NBCT certification.
For more information regarding the National University Association for National Board Certified Teachers, visit the Alumni Events Calendar at http://www.nu.edu/Community/AlumniandFriends/AlumniEvents.cfm.
