As business professionals, you know that if you are not moving forward, you can fall behind. You're also familiar with high levels of achievement denoted by such initials as M.D., Ph.D., Ed.D., M.B.A. and C.P.A.
It takes time and perseverance to earn those initials. The rewards are enhanced success for you and for the organization fortunate enough to have you within its ranks.
Carlsbad Unified School District is comprised of professionals like you. The difference is that our domain is not an office, but a classroom. Like other professionals, our teachers continually aspire to enhance their instruction methods, help their students and further their careers.
The pinnacle of achievement for educators is the rank of National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) created by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, an independent organization committed to upholding high standards for professional performance.
Attaining an NBCT is not as easy as A, B, C. Over the course of a school year, teachers must develop a portfolio that includes written analyses of student work, classroom videos, documentation of involvement in a professional community and community outreach. In addition, candidates are rigorously tested on content knowledge for their certificate area.
The process is intense, explains 16-year veteran teacher Kate Alva, noting she devoted 40 hours a week to the effort, in addition to teaching her third-graders at Jefferson Elementary School.
“It was a challenge. I was happy to be one of the 33 percent who passed on the first try,” Alva said.
A results-oriented process
Research shows that NBCTs consistently outperform their peers in subject matter knowledge, ability to adapt instruction and to create engaging lessons. They demonstrate greater influence on teacher mentoring, team-building, curriculum development and school leadership.
Not surprisingly, students of NBCTs score 7-15 percentage points higher on year-end tests than non-NBCT students. They exhibit deeper learning outcomes more frequently.
State Superintendent Jack O'Connell promotes the certification, saying, “The goal is to ensure that all California schools have a cadre of NBCTs to provide teacher leadership in support of excellent teaching.”
CUSD teachers surpass statewide statistics
Currently, about one percent of the state's teaching force has earned an NBCT. I am proud to announce that CUSD surpasses that percentage, 10 of our 575 teachers have attained this challenging certification.
Among them is Carlsbad High School English teacher Kristy Stewart, who describes the process as a learning opportunity.
“What I enjoyed most were the case studies. I was able to choose two students and observe their growth,” Stewart said.
Stewart and Alva concur in the value of self-reflection necessitated.
“You are forced to reflect deeply on your teaching practices and refine your instructional methodology,” both said.
Stewart, Alva and the District's other eight NBCT teachers agree that the experience, although onerous, was worth it. The work was relevant, and important.
As Alva concluded, “We did it for our kids.”
CUSD Salutes NBCT Achievers:
Robert Alper, Jefferson Elementary
Kate Alva, Jefferson Elementary
Kathleen Heritage, Carlsbad Seaside Academy
Christine Kopp, Jefferson Elementary
Christine Parr, Carlsbad High School
Deanna Presley, Hope Elementary
Karen Stencil, Jefferson Elementary
Kristy Stewart, Carlsbad High School
Holly Stipe, Calavera Hills Middle School
Marisa Tatar, Calavera Hills Middle School
It takes time and perseverance to earn those initials. The rewards are enhanced success for you and for the organization fortunate enough to have you within its ranks.
Carlsbad Unified School District is comprised of professionals like you. The difference is that our domain is not an office, but a classroom. Like other professionals, our teachers continually aspire to enhance their instruction methods, help their students and further their careers.
The pinnacle of achievement for educators is the rank of National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) created by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, an independent organization committed to upholding high standards for professional performance.
Attaining an NBCT is not as easy as A, B, C. Over the course of a school year, teachers must develop a portfolio that includes written analyses of student work, classroom videos, documentation of involvement in a professional community and community outreach. In addition, candidates are rigorously tested on content knowledge for their certificate area.
The process is intense, explains 16-year veteran teacher Kate Alva, noting she devoted 40 hours a week to the effort, in addition to teaching her third-graders at Jefferson Elementary School.
“It was a challenge. I was happy to be one of the 33 percent who passed on the first try,” Alva said.
A results-oriented process
Research shows that NBCTs consistently outperform their peers in subject matter knowledge, ability to adapt instruction and to create engaging lessons. They demonstrate greater influence on teacher mentoring, team-building, curriculum development and school leadership.
Not surprisingly, students of NBCTs score 7-15 percentage points higher on year-end tests than non-NBCT students. They exhibit deeper learning outcomes more frequently.
State Superintendent Jack O'Connell promotes the certification, saying, “The goal is to ensure that all California schools have a cadre of NBCTs to provide teacher leadership in support of excellent teaching.”
CUSD teachers surpass statewide statistics
Currently, about one percent of the state's teaching force has earned an NBCT. I am proud to announce that CUSD surpasses that percentage, 10 of our 575 teachers have attained this challenging certification.
Among them is Carlsbad High School English teacher Kristy Stewart, who describes the process as a learning opportunity.
“What I enjoyed most were the case studies. I was able to choose two students and observe their growth,” Stewart said.
Stewart and Alva concur in the value of self-reflection necessitated.
“You are forced to reflect deeply on your teaching practices and refine your instructional methodology,” both said.
Stewart, Alva and the District's other eight NBCT teachers agree that the experience, although onerous, was worth it. The work was relevant, and important.
As Alva concluded, “We did it for our kids.”
CUSD Salutes NBCT Achievers:
Robert Alper, Jefferson Elementary
Kate Alva, Jefferson Elementary
Kathleen Heritage, Carlsbad Seaside Academy
Christine Kopp, Jefferson Elementary
Christine Parr, Carlsbad High School
Deanna Presley, Hope Elementary
Karen Stencil, Jefferson Elementary
Kristy Stewart, Carlsbad High School
Holly Stipe, Calavera Hills Middle School
Marisa Tatar, Calavera Hills Middle School