What is the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards?

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is dedicated to advancing the quality of teaching and learning by:

• Maintaining high and rigorous standards for what teachers should know and be able to do;
• Providing a national voluntary system to assess and certify teachers who meet those standards;
• Advocating related education reforms to integrate National Board Certification into American education and to capitalize on the expertise of National Board Certified Teachers.

Why obtain NBPTS Certification?

Based on the standard of what teachers should know and be able to do:

• Teachers are committed to students and their learning.
• Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students.
• Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.
• Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience.
• Teachers are members of learning communities.

These standards highlight specific aspects of teaching, while emphasizing its holistic nature. They bring core principles to life in a variety of classroom settings, and identify knowledge, skills and dispositions that support performance at a high level. They show how professional judgment is reflected in observable actions.

Certification is a two-part assessment process: development of a school-site portfolio and demonstration of content knowledge at an assessment center


Who would seek NBPTS Certification?

Accomplished teachers with at least 3 years experience in public education interested in high level professional development interested in strengthening their knowledge and skills to make possible higher levels of achievement for all students. Process of certification has lasting positive effects on teaching practice and makes available expanded professional leadership roles.

National Board Certification is a professional undertaking that requires the mastery and integration of both content and pedagogical knowledge. It also requires that teachers possess a repertoire of instructional strategies to help all students meet high standards.


When does NBPTS Candidate Support begin?

An orientation will be held June 25th from 1:00 to 4:00pm. Twelve 2-hour cohort meetings are scheduled between October and March. An additional all-day session led by National Board Certified Teachers will be scheduled in April to prepare for the Assessment Center. Additionally a Blackboard course site will be available for participants to access other teachers, candidates and NBPTS resources.


What is the cost of NBPTS Certification at WWU?

Tuition is $500, with credit available at an additional cost.

Contact Information

Program Information:
Woodring College of Education
Sheila Fox
516 High Street, Mail Stop 9090
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: 360-650-3332
E-mail: Sheila.Fox@wwu.edu


Registration Information:
Extended Education and Summer Programs
Continuing and Independent Learning
Professional Development
Ariel Cleasby-Heaven
516 High Street, Mail Stop 5293
Bellingham, WA 98225-5996
Phone: 360-650-3717
FAX: 360-650-6858
E-mail: Ariel.Cleasby-Heaven@wwu.edu