NYSED, NYSUT Applaud 60 Teachers Who Achieved ‘Gold Standard’ National Certification

The New York State Education Department and New York State United Teachers today congratulated 60 teachers from across the state who have achieved national certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, the “gold standard” in the education profession.

“Attaining National Board Certification is an arduous endeavor that each of these extraordinary educators undertook because of their dedication and love for teaching and learning,” Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said. “In this most difficult of times, when uncertainty wrought by COVID-19 changed nearly every facet of education, these teachers are committed to their calling, challenging themselves to become even better educators for the sake of their students.”

“To keep the love of learning alive and to continue to strive to be even better is key to being an exceptional teacher who can effectively reach the hearts and minds of their students,” State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said. “Through a process of introspection and enrichment, these passionate teachers elevate their efforts in the classroom and open a world of leadership and academic possibilities for themselves and their colleagues for whom they will serve as mentors.”

“To achieve National Board certification in the midst of unprecedented challenges the coronavirus pandemic has brought is a testament to the dedication these teachers have to their students and their profession,” NYSUT President Andy Pallotta said. “These educators exemplify the outstanding teachers across New York who give their all to preparing children for the future.”

“These educators have shown not only a mastery of their craft, but that they have built the relationships with students that set them up for long-term success,” NYSUT Executive Vice President Jolene T. DiBrango said. “Teaching makes a difference in the lives of students. Especially during this pandemic, these educators have proved that the human connection between teachers and children is the most important part of the learning process and finding ways to maintain that is a critical part of their work.”

New York is home to 2,179 National Board Certified Teachers, who have completed a rigorous performance-based peer-reviewed assessment process that includes a review of teaching portfolios, student work samples, videos and analysis of a candidate’s teaching and student learning. In addition to the 60 teachers to achieved certification in the past year, 42 New York educators had their certifications renewed.

The list of new National Board certification awardees, who hail from every region of the state, can be found here.

This year’s awardees will be celebrated during a virtual recognition ceremony today from 4 to 5 p.m. featuring remarks from DiBrango, Chancellor Young, Commissioner Rosa, Regent Roger Tilles, National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Director of Policy and Partnerships Michelle Accardi and 2021 New York State Teacher of the Year Jennifer Wolfe. The ceremony can be viewed here.

About National Board Certification

Achieving national certification is extraordinarily challenging. Candidates typically spend 200-400 hours of their own time having their teaching assessed against rigorous standards through an extensive series of performance-based assessments, including teaching portfolios, student work samples, videos of their lessons, and thorough analyses and reflection of the candidate’s teaching and student learning. The process involves written exercises that probe the depth of the candidate’s subject area knowledge, as well as their understanding of how to teach those subjects.

The New York State Education Department through the Albert Shanker Grant makes funding available to support eligible New York State public school teachers seeking their first National Board Certification. NYSUT assists National Board candidates by offering awareness programs and support through online discussion forums, and conferences and professional development through its Education & Learning Trust. The union also aids state teacher centers in supporting candidates through the challenging board certification process.