The Nevada National Board Professional Learning Institute is pleased to announce that Governor Sandoval has proclaimed November 16 as National Board-Certified Teacher Day in Nevada. A reception celebrating the occasion will be hosted by the Nevada Association Education Association on Nov. 16, 2017, from 5:30 pm -7:00 pm.
National Board Certification is the rigorous process which teachers across the nation complete to earn the Accomplished Teacher designation. Known as the “gold standard” in teacher certification, the National Board was designed to develop, retain, and recognize those educators who show a commitment to improving education for all students. Teachers voluntarily pursue National Board Certification, with 635 (3.2%) of Nevada’s current teaching force identified as National Board Certified Teachers, including the recently announced Nevada Teacher of the Year, Pilar Biller of Washoe County.
The Northwest Regional Professional Development Center, serving northern Nevada and rural counties, report an increase of 600% growth in teachers pursuing National Board Certification. In the 2016-2017 school year, Clark County had the second highest number of National Board candidates in the United States. Nevada reports a total of 799 teachers pursuing National Board Certification this year, with 237 teachers anticipating news of achieving certification by December 31, 2017.
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. The National Board believes higher standards for teachers means better learning for students.
This recognition by Governor Sandoval supports the research indicating that National Board Certified Teachers average one to two months of additional student learning over the school year than teachers who are not yet Board Certified. Lt. Governor Mark Hutchison and the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Reno have also designated National Board Certified Teacher Day through official proclamations and recognition.