Teacher Certification
NBPTS Support Program
Please note:
This support program at Western is in moratorium.
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.
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.
Contact Information
Dr. Laurence R. Antil
Assistant Dean for Woodring Outreach Programs
Western Washington University
516 High Street, Mail Stop 9051
Bellingham, WA 98225-9051
Phone: 360-650-7505
Fax: 360-650-0505
