CMS NBCT Spotlight

From the CMS Insider September 2023:

9/15/2023

​The 2023-24 school year marks 25 years that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has offered a National Board support program for its educators — providing virtual support groups, work sessions and feedback on candidate work in progress.

To date, over 2,000 CMS educators have achieved National Board Certification. The district ranks fourth among the nation’s school districts, and second in North Carolina, in the number of educators who’ve attained certification.

“Teachers are often the last to toot their own horn,” said Christina Roth, professional development specialist. “National Board Certification forces them to do so. It’s pretty powerful.”

Roth went through the certification process in 2009 and currently oversees the support program for the district. She has seen the growth from what was available while she was obtaining her certification to what the district offers currently.

“We’ve expanded our programs, we have four more facilitators, and we’re piloting two cohorts — both West Charlotte High and school counselors — with hopes for more in the future,” said Roth.

Saturday, Sept. 9, was the first Saturday session of the school year and was held at West Charlotte High. Roth and Principal Orlando Robinson are excited to partner with each other by utilizing the school for the in-person sessions, as well as starting a cohort for West Charlotte teachers.

“Increasing the number of certified teachers at West Charlotte High will positively impact our overall school performance,” said Robinson. “This also supports our focus at West Charlotte on an ‘Expectation of Excellence’ by building a stronger teacher culture and supporting teacher retention. I’m so excited and proud of our staff members who are beginning this endeavor.”

For many who have attended the support sessions, Roth said they’ve enjoyed the accountability aspect. Roth believes the layered support the district offers streamlines the process and makes it work for everyone.

“We do all the things,” said Roth. “We don’t just do mentorship. We don’t just offer Saturday sessions. We don’t just have Canvas courses. We created a streamlined framework so that candidates could pick up where they left off and continue forward. It’s whatever works best for them.”

Over the next 25 years, Roth said she hopes the program continues to grow and that every school has a National Board certified educator.

“It would be amazing to see every school have 20% to 30% of their staff certified,” said Roth. “It creates a great momentum for retention. Then they can pay it forward and build the growth within their school and, hopefully, across the district.”​

From the CMS Insider March 2023:

3/06/2023

​​The journey to National Board Certification for Jean Brendel, apparel teacher at Northwest School of the Arts, began over a decade ago. Initially she didn’t pass certification, but, with her husband as her biggest cheerleader, she tried again.

“I lost my husband in 2022, but because of his support, I was close to being finished,” she said through tears. “I had my angel watching me.

On her second attempt, she received her National Board Certification, and now, Brendel has joined 195 other educators in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools who have renewed their certification this year. They were recognized at an event on Thursday, March 2, at West Charlotte High School along with 59 newly certified educators. 

CMS ranks fourth among the nation’s school districts, and second in North Carolina, in the number of educators who have achieved National Board Certification, with 2,393 to date.

“You all are an incredible, elite group of educators,” said Chief Academic Officer Nancy Brightwell. “Having been a principal for 20 years in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and watched what it takes to become a National Board Certified Teacher, I know the incredible grit that you have, the joy and passion that you have for what you do, and I stand in awe of this accomplishment.”

National Board Certification is a rigorous, voluntary certification for teachers, school counselors and media specialists. The process is based on the Five Core Propositions, which closely parallel the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards. 

The initial certification process consists of a three-hour online test as well as a portfolio of work, including analysis of both student work samples and video-recorded instruction. Candidates also demonstrate the use of student data to drive both student instruction and the candidate’s own professional development activities.

NBCTs renew their certification every five years.

“The classroom is where the magic happens,” said Board Chair Elyse Dashew, “where theory yields to practice and where teachers and students connect. As National Board Certified Teachers, you are those classroom magicians.”

From the CMS Insider January 2023:

1/23/2023

​While going through the National Board Certification process, Sandra Ross, an 11-year Exceptional Children’s teacher at Crown Point Elementary, would repeat, “Find a way. Not an excuse!” to help get her through the process.

Now, Ross is one of the 60 newly certified CMS educators celebrating during National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) week Jan. 23-27. They are joined by the 196 educators in CMS who have successfully renewed their certification. 

“The process was tedious and required persistence and sacrifice to meet the end goal,” said Ross. “I waited 10 years to start the process to ensure that I had the skills to meet the rigor of certifying.”

“Educators should constantly be evaluating their instructional practices and effectiveness,” said Katie Jo Mayfield, English II and Creative Writing teacher at William Amos Hough High. Mayfield certified in 2018 and renewed this year. “The process to certify and renew allows for that opportunity.”

The certification process requires educators to demonstrate standards-based evidence of the positive effect they have on student learning in alignment with the Five Core Propositions. They must exhibit a deep understanding of their students, content knowledge, use of data and assessments and teaching practice. They must also show that they participate in learning communities and provide evidence of ongoing reflection and continuous learning, according to the NBCT website. 

This year, 486 educators achieved National Board Certification in North Carolina. The state also leads the nation with 1,414 NBCTs who successfully renewed. 

Brandon Taylor, physical education teacher at Dilworth Elementary-Sedgefield Campus, chose to pursue his certification because he’s always looking to grow as an educator.

“The more I learn about my strengths and weaknesses as a teacher, the better I am able to reach each and every one of the students who walk into my gym,” he said. “This process has helped me organize, analyze and reflect on each lesson plan that I create to ensure my students have the best opportunity to learn, understand and retain the information.” 

When Angeline Walker, school counselor at South Academy of International Languages, started the certification process in 2017-2018, she said she was the only counselor trying to achieve certification at the time. 

Now that she’s certified and has successfully renewed, she volunteers with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to mentor school counselors who are going through the initial certification process. 

“CMS does a wonderful job providing support through monthly work sessions and professional development that helped me understand how to navigate the process,” Walker said.

“Being a National Board-certified school counselor revived my career,” she added. “Going through the certification process not only allowed me to create innovative, purpose-driven classroom guidance and small group lesson plans, but it also allowed me to measure the impact these lessons had on my students.”

Ross, Mayfield, Taylor and Walker all agree that other educators should pursue certification if they’re thinking about it.

“Do it,” said Ross. “Essentially, you are proving to the evaluators that you are the great teacher you and your students know you are.”

A reception and celebration honoring this year’s new and renewed CMS NBCTs will be held on Thursday, March 2, at West Charlotte High.​

From the CMS Insider March 2022:

3/11/2022

​There are 130,630 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) nationwide, and on March 9, CMS recognized 43 new and 125 NBCTs who successfully renewed their certification during a virtual NBCT celebration.  

CMS is fourth among the nation’s school districts in the number of educators who have achieved National Board Certification, with 2,334 CMS educators achieving National Board Certification to date. 

“This is an incredible milestone you should be proud of,” said Superintendent Earnest Winston during the ceremony. “National Board Certification is reserved for the best of the best, the cream of the crop. Our teachers in the district are the cream of the crop, and you all are a prime example.” 

Candidate achieving initial or renewal certification in 2020-2021 had to overcome obstacles presented by COVID-19 when school abruptly switched to remote learning in March 2020 as

they were gathering evidence for their National Board submissions. The initial certification process consists of a three-hour online test as well as a portfolio of work including analysis of both student work samples and video-recorded instruction. Candidates also demonstrate the

use of student data to drive both student instruction and the candidate’s own professional development activities. 

"The best submissions were the ones where things went wrong and teachers could explain what went wrong and what they learned from it,” said NBCT Justin Parmenter and a middle school language arts teacher. “We are all lifelong learners, and we keep learning. 

“I saw myself as an equal participant with my students,” Parmenter reflected on his certification experience. “We’re all on this journey together.” 

North Carolina led the nation with 399 educators achieving initial National Board Certification in December 2021 as well as 1,124 NBCTs successfully renewed their certification. CMS has had

a candidate support program since 1998 offering virtual support groups, work sessions and feedback on candidate work-in-progress. 

"Thank you for all you do and will do for our students,” said Dr. Matthew Hayes, deputy superintendent for academics. “This is a profession that should be held to the highest regard in our community and nation. We appreciate you.” 

"Your dedication blows me away," said chairperson Elyse Dashew to the NBCTs. "It is not lost on me how hard this year has been. I'm speechless by how much I respect you for all you have accomplished. I'm humbled by your courage and your dedication. I'm inspired by you. I'm just

so grateful that you're not letting the obstacles stop you because I'm grateful that you're still teaching and getting better and better at it because we need you and our kids need you."

From the CMS Insider in January 2019:

1/18/2019

​In 2008, Sarah Perkins wanted to become a better teacher. So she decided to get her certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Ten years later, she was one of 111 CMS educators who renewed their certification. There were 105 educators who received their certification for the first time.  They were all honored at a reception on Jan. 17.

Perkins, a Spanish teacher at Vance High, said she wanted the opportunity to increase her skills and learn from others. "I wanted to be able to add more strategies to my toolbox," she said. "I wanted to do research-based teaching and the National Board process allowed me to do that."

National Board certification is a rigorous voluntary certification for teachers, media specialists and school counselors.  The process is based on Five Core Propositions that closely parallel the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards.  Candidates demonstrate how they use data to personalize learning for their students. They may complete the certification process in one to three consecutive years. The process includes online testing, analysis of student work and videos of their instruction. Certified teachers receive a 12 percent salary differential and certified teachers receive a full cycle of renewal credit on their North Carolina teaching license.  

"Many participants say that the process is the most meaningful professional development in which they have ever participated," said Linda Yarbrough, professional development specialist. "The process encourages them to become more reflective practitioners."

To renew her certification, Perkins focused on four Professional Growth Experiences, examples of how she's improved since earning her certification. One of her examples was how she's integrated technology into the classroom.

"Ten years ago, technology was nothing like it is now," said Perkins. "Over the last few years, I've started using Google Docs for students to turn things in electronically and I use it to grade. This is much more efficient for me and my students."

Perkins said earning her certification also gave her newfound confidence. "Leadership roles have opened up for me. I was chosen to go on a trip to Guatemala to train teachers in middle schools. I am now a department chair."

Interested potential candidates may contact Linda Yarbrough for more information.  The registration deadline for 2018-2019 initial, retake and renewal candidates is Feb. 28.

"I would encourage anyone that's interested to go for it," said Perkins. "Take advantage of the CMS workshops and support system. I couldn't have done it without them."