In order to improve education in Nevada, accomplished teachers need to be part of the planning and implementation of reform efforts. National Board Certification is the benchmark for cultivating accomplished teachers across the United States. Nevada currently has over 600 National Board-Certified teachers and within the next two years, that number could double. Attaining National Board Certification requires teachers to reflect on their teaching practice. The process takes from one to three years to complete and requires significant financial commitment, in addition to investing time. While teachers complete the process independently, the rewards of supported candidacy include building a professional network and developing a broader awareness of teacher leadership.
The Nevada National Board Professional Learning Institute: Empowering Teachers as Leaders and Learners, housed in the Public Education Foundation, is in its first year of providing focused research- and evidence-based support for Nevada National Board Certification candidates. The Institute, funded by a Nevada Great Teaching and Leading Fund grant, provides coaching seminars, writing workshops, and other support services in addition to reimbursing 100 eligible teachers for two of the four components required to certify.
“We are honored to be with National Board candidates this year,” said Tonia Holmes-Sutton, Ed. D. who, with Katherine Dockweiler, ED. D., founded the Institute. “To support our candidates on their National Board journey of professional learning, we have planned an invitational book-signing and a Jump Start program scheduled in in September.”
The book-signing features Bobbie Faulkner, author of What Works! Successful Strategies for Pursuing National Board Certification – a helpful resource for teachers as the complete their National Board portfolios.
Please contact Ernie Rambo (ernie.rambo@nationalboardinstitute.com or 702-321-7668) for additional information about the event and the Nevada National Board Institute.