More than 3,500 teachers achieve National Board Certification — bringing national total to more than 125,000 teachers

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is proud to welcome 3,831 new National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs), who are helping students reach their highest potential in 2,914 schools in 46 states. Together with 4,786 Board-certified teachers who successfully renewed their certification this year, these new NBCTs join a growing community of more than 125,000 Board-certified teachers across all 50 states.

More than half of the new NBCTs teach in high-need schools, and a growing percentage are teachers of color. For example, in the Los Angeles Unified School District — which consistently ranks among the nation’s top three districts for new NBCTs — more than two-thirds of the new Board-certified teachers are teachers of color.  

“These new National Board Certified Teachers will continue to change the way their students learn, and their proven ability to be the best teachers they can be will have a ripple effect on their schools and their communities for years to come,” said Peggy Brookins, NBCT, president and CEO of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. “I’m especially proud to see that large numbers of new NBCTs are teaching in schools where they are needed most. And, with more Board-certified teachers of color, more students of color will see themselves reflected in those high-achieving professionals.”

Among the new NBCTs for 2019 are 18 Board-certified teachers at Bureau of Indian Affairs Schools — including six at the Joseph K. Lumsden Bahweting Anishnabe School in Michigan, where students can learn Anishinaabemowin, the native language of the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.   

“We are proud that our community school is a leader in this important work. Native students and families are working to build a future for our people that recognizes and enhances our language and culture while making it possible for students to compete in the global economy,” said Jennifer McLeod, Tribal Councilwoman for the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. “Having Board-certified teachers is a strong part of our ability to take back education and strengthen our community. We appreciate all the teachers who are working towards this goal and look forward to honoring those who have achieved.”

In order to become a Board-certified teacher, teachers complete a performance-based, peer-reviewed process, demonstrating their proven impact on student learning and achievement.

In addition to the new NBCTs, more than 24,000 teachers are currently pursuing Board certification. An increasing number of states and districts support growing the number of Board-certified teachers because of the impact they see on teachers and students.

“I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication that our teachers have put forth into the process of becoming Nationally Board Certified,” said Tammy Carey, principal of Barwell Road Elementary School in Raleigh, NC, which welcomes 10 new NBCTs this year, leading the nation. “As a school leader, I believe that investing in our teachers and supporting their professional growth is essential to student success.”  

Highlights from this year’s class of new Board-certified teachers

• Widening reach:

  • There are new NBCTs in 2,914 schools in 1,090 districts across 46 states

• Growing concentrations in schools, districts, and states:

  • 11 states have more than 100 new NBCTs

  • 35 states have more than 10 new NBCTs

  • 122 schools have 5 or more new NBCTs

• Increasing equity, reaching a broader range of students:

  • 55% of new NBCTs teach in high-need (Title I) schools

  • 18 of the new NBCTs teach in Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) affiliated schools, an increase of 37% since 2014, and have hundreds of teachers working towards certification

  • 569 new NBCTs are teachers of color 

• 42% of new NBCTs teach in STEM fields

During the week of December 9, educators across the country will celebrate all Board-certified teachers, as well as those teachers who are current candidates for Board certification, with #TeamNBCT week. Activities include in-person and online recognition of the dedication, expertise, and leadership of these educators.

“National Board Certification is about elevating the teaching profession; and it is about helping children achieve at higher rates,” said Brookins. “The certification process impacts teaching and learning well beyond an individual teacher’s classroom.”

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About the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (www.nbpts.org):

The founding mission of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is to advance the quality of teaching and learning by: (1) maintaining high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do; (2) providing a national voluntary system certifying teachers who meet these standards; and (3) advocating related education reforms to integrate National Board Certification in American education and to capitalize on the expertise of National Board Certified Teachers. Recognized as the “gold standard” in teacher certification, the National Board believes higher standards for teachers means better learning for students.