CMS educators recognized for National Board Certification
Seventy new and 142 renewed Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools National Board educators were recognized at a celebratory event March 7 at West Charlotte High.
National Board Certification is designed to develop, retain, and recognize accomplished educators to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. According to the National Board website, it’s the highest certification an educator may obtain and the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education.
“You all set the bar of excellence and carry the torch to show new educators what’s possible and what can happen when an educator digs deeply and becomes a lifelong learner,” said Nancy Brightwell, chief of Retention, Recruitment and Talent Development.
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.
“My National Board journey taught me through reflections, not to just pause for a moment, but to really take time and think, evaluate and give intentional thought to my teaching interactions,” said Meghan Pope, accountability coordinator for Career and Technical Education. “[Certification] reignited my passion for finding true professional fulfillment.”
More than 2,300 educators in CMS have their National Board Certification. CMS ranks sixth among the nation’s school districts and second in North Carolina in the number of educators achieving National Board Certification overall.
By achieving or renewing the National Board Certification, our teachers are giving students an opportunity for higher achievement levels, helping us pursue excellence without exception, inspiring creativity and curiosity, and ensuring our students are enrolled, enlisted, or employed,” said Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill.