In early December, Kim Landry, a second-grade teacher at Sunset Hills Elementary received a National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist for children ages three to eight. Landry was also chosen for the PED's State Ambassadors leadership program in September 2021.
"The National Board teacher certification provides an opportunity to deepen your understanding of yourself as a teacher and improve your teaching practice," Landry said in a news release from PED.
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is an independent, nonprofit organization established in 1987, according to the organizations' website. It works to improve education by maintaining high standards for teachers. Most states recognize National Board Certification towards state licensure. IN New Mexico, the certification is equivalent to a level three license which is the highest in the state.
Every year the PED offers scholarships to teachers like Landry who are seeking National Board Certification. The process costs approximately $2,000 and can take three to five years to complete, according to the PED.
The NBPTS offers 25 possible certifications across 16 areas of study from Career and Technical Education to an Exceptional Needs Specialist who focuses on teaching students with disabilities, according to the organization's website.
National Board-certified teachers are assessed in their knowledge of the content, differentiation in instruction, teaching practices, learning environment, and if they are effective and reflective practitioners, according to the PED.
Teachers in New Mexico who have accomplished this amazing task will be honored at a virtual celebration on January 19, 2022, followed by a formal pinning ceremony at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque on February 19, 2022.
