National Board resources & supports in DC

WTU/AFT Teacher Leaders amplifying our voice during a productive education policy conversation with State Superintendent of Education Jesus Aguirre on Saturday, 12.13.2014 at the WTU Headquarters.

Dear Superintendent Jesus Aguirre,

 

Thank you for a very engaging discussion with us, the WTU Teacher Leaders, last Saturday at the WTU Office. Your support of the National Board Certification  means a lot for our students, teachers and the future of the education profession in the District of Columbia.

 

We all know that NBC has a positive impact on student achievement, teacher retention and professional development, and as evidence, the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies published a comprehensive review of the studies to date in 2008 (please see attachment). I have also attached the DC state profile and other state rankings for your perusal. This year, only one teacher in DC achieved certification and we owe to our students and our profession to make it the majority...with your help.

 

To help increase the number of NBCT's in DC in the future, we need to have the right resources and supports for those who are going through the process of certification. In the past, there were supports given by OSSE- Educator Licensure and Accreditation unit in the form of financial supports, six recertification units/ 90 clock hours, and other grants. We recently checked the OSSE website  and we have not found any supports for our national board candidates. Every student in America deserves to be taught by accomplished, Board-certified teachers. We hope that you can help make this happen.

 

Wishing you and your family a Happy Holidays!

 

Sincerely,

Maria Angala, NBCT