Talking Points

The National Board Certification process has had a major impact in encouraging teachers to stay in the profession. Teachers are energized and committed to the profession and their students. Re-engaging with a new enthusiasm to address the needs of today’s student.

National Board Certified Teachers are currently serving as mentors and coaches to new teachers, teachers coming to the profession through alternative certification and teachers in need of assistance. This wealth of wisdom and experience improves teacher quality overall impacting learning everyday.

The Excellent Teaching Program is a proven tool for recruiting experienced teachers to move to Florida and continue their careers. The ETPA demonstrates Florida’s commitment to high standards and quality teaching.

As more Florida colleges and universities learn about NBC standards they are revamping teacher preparation programs. These changes will improve the quality of new teachers graduating from Florida’s teacher preparation programs providing a workforce prepared to reach Florida’s students of tomorrow.

National Board Certified Teachers are taking on new leadership roles in their schools and districts. Administrators know the value of having NBCTs on their staff. A critical mass of NBCTs can successfully improve that school’s climate and commitment to learning. NBCTs have demonstrated that they know their content, how to teach and what to teach.

The Florida Sunshine State Standards serve as the guide for curriculum design decisions. NBCTs experience many opportunities to demonstrate a high standard of accomplished teaching and have measured their own practice against high and rigorous national standards.

National Board Certified Teachers are acknowledged as teachers of high accomplishment in their communities. Support for teachers and teacher morale increases with the number of recognized certified teachers in each school.

National Board Certification is a credential not an award. The investment that Florida is making in NBC candidates and teachers will provide benefits for years to come.

The National Board Certification process is good for all teachers. Teacher surveys applaud the process as the best professional development experience they have ever had and acknowledge that the experience has changed how they look at learning and meet the needs of each individual learner.

To arbitrarily diminish access to the Excellent Teaching Program is to cut to the roots the most fruitful teacher quality program that the state supports. Capping participation in the Excellent Teaching Program sends the wrong message to Florida teachers who what to be the best they can be.