Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/120877
> ACCOMPLISHED TEACHING Congratulations to CTA���s National Board Certified teachers! California has 345 new National Board Certified Teachers BY BILL GUY ���We commend these dedicated teachers for continuing to improve their craft,��� says CTA President Dean Vogel. The Class of 2012 was announced by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) recently. The California teachers are among 4,980 teachers nationwide who earned National Board Certi���cation last year, pushing the total number of educators who hold the advanced professional certi���cation to more than 100,000, now representing all 50 states. There are now 5,636 National Board Certi���ed Teachers in California. National Board Certi���cation is an intensive multiyear process of standards-based performance assessment and peer review. The rigor of National Board Certi���cation has been compared to certi���cation processes for the medical and legal professions, notes Vogel. ���I pursued National Board Certi���cation because I truly want to be the absolute best educator I can be because my Title I students don���t always get the learning opportunities they deserve,��� says Morgan Pellettera, a newly certi���ed teacher. She teaches English, California High School Exit Exam support and English learner instruction in shelter classes at San Bernardino���s Arroyo Valley High School. ���The National Board process helped me re���ect on my teaching, but more importantly, to focus on my students��� learning.��� In addition to improving their own teaching abilities, many of CTA���s NBCTs are working with CTA to help their colleagues achieve certi���cation. ���I am heartened that our union is helping support academic achievement and teacher quality,��� says Barry Wissman, Palm Springs Teachers Association, who teaches third grade at Corsini Elementary. He regularly assists CTA staff in providing training for National Board candidates. ���It���s amazing to have the opportunity to help colleagues working through this process. Having a cohort of candidates help each other and learn from one another is invaluable. The enthusiasm and passion for teaching in the room was palpable.��� CTA is expanding its in-person workshop and online National Board candidate support by offering Accomplished Teaching Forum training in three-day sessions this summer. Aimed at both certi���ed teachers and candidates, the forums will provide opportunities to work together and to continue to update skills and knowledge. NBCT workshops are components of CTA���s Good Teaching Conferences. For more information on CTA National Board candidate support and the Accomplished Teaching Forums, visit www.cta.org/nbc. 26 California Educator April 2013 Kudos and Congratulations! California has 345 new nationally board certi���ed teachers bringing the total number of California NBCTs to 5,636. NBCTs earn this certi���cation through an intensive, multiyear process of standards-based performance assessment and peer review. The rigor of National Board Certi���cation is comparable to that of certi���cation processes for the medical, legal and other major professions. Your union supports great teaching CTA is hosting three Accomplished Teaching Forums this summer in Norco, Santa Fe Springs and Natomas for members involved in this process. National Board Certi���ed Teachers (NBCTs) will obtain Candidate Support Provider Training, and National Board Candidates will receive support as they start the National Board process. Online sessions and year-round support are available. For more, go online: www.cta.org/IPD @ctaNBCT twitter