Why Certification?
The reasons cited by teachers for pursuing National Board certification are, in many ways, as diverse as those who undertake it. Some motives, however, are consistent. They all strive to improve their teaching, to bring professional authority to their work, and to receive the recognition they rightly deserve as accomplished practitioners.
Because Board certification is available in 26 content areas and available to teachers across the entire range of schools in the country, the ways that teachers demonstrate their mastery of the standards vary widely. The focus is on each teacher’s own content area, grade level, and teaching context. The certification process honors each of these unique set of circumstances while, at the same time, holding every candidate to the same high standards. Ultimately, becoming certified by the NBPTS attests that a teacher has demonstrated teaching that aligns with the highest standards of professional practice.