Educators Earn, Renew National Board Certification

South Carolina remains one of the nation’s leading states for the total number of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs). Ninety educators in the state, representing 30 school districts, recently earned National Board Certification (NBC). In addition, 402 NBCTs from 55 school districts renewed their national certificates, bringing South Carolina’s total number of NBCTs to 9,226.

The growing number of NBCTs is critical in South Carolina as more teachers are leaving the profession each year. According to a January 2018 study conducted by CERRA, the turnover rates among NBCTs are much lower than those of all teachers in South Carolina. Specifically, the state’s teacher turnover rate for the 2016-17 school year was 7.7%, yet the rate was only 1.9% for all South Carolina NBCTs. 

Teachers seeking National Board Certification undertake a four-part process that takes from one to three years to complete. The process requires candidates to analyze information about students in order to design and implement instructional choices that leads to advance student growth and achievement. Teachers reflect on their classroom practices, assess their understanding of subject material and examine their preparation techniques. In order to advance student learning and growth, teachers must demonstrate knowledge and evidence of being an effective practitioner by analyzing assessments and data to positively plan lessons that impact student learning. In addition to preparing a portfolio with videotapes of classroom teaching, unit lesson plans, student work samples and reflective essays about the classroom environment and teaching interactions, teachers must complete assessment center exercises based on content knowledge that prove they have mastered the subjects they teach and also possess the pedagogical practices for teaching the content area.

Candidates consistently report that collaboration with other NBCTs and candidates eases the burden of the process. To this end, the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement (CERRA) created an infrastructure of support that includes a district liaison in each of the state’s 85 school districts and a National Board Toolkit comprised of PowerPoints, handouts, and activities to assist candidates as they move through the certification process. GCSD is pleased to partner with CERRA in implementing an applicant cohort program for GCSD teachers to participate in once a month as they work through the NB application process together over a three-year period. CERRA also collaborates with other state agencies including the State Department of Education, The South Carolina Education Association, and Palmetto State Teachers Association to provide workshops and awareness sessions for candidates.

Teachers interested in pursuing the certification for the 2019-20 National Board cycle can access further information on the CERRA Website.