Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) recently revealed that 30 of its teachers achieved National Board Certification in 2023, a prestigious accolade granted to educators who meet rigorous standards. APS now ranks among the top ten school districts nationwide for the number of National Board Certified Teachers.
According to an APS press release, the total count of National Board Certified Teachers within APS classrooms has reached 680. To achieve this certification, teachers must undergo a stringent process that includes passing a computer-based assessment, demonstrating differentiation in instruction, and providing evidence of effective and reflective teaching practices. The certification process also requires filming interactions with students and submitting detailed reports that highlight engagement and impact on student learning.
Superintendent Scott Elder expressed his admiration for these educators in an APS press release, stating, "I congratulate each and every one of these teachers. Achieving this certification takes dedication and a tremendous amount of work. These teachers devoted their time and energy to this process, and they are better educators because of it."
Andrea Quintana, a National Board Certified Teacher herself and a Teacher Support Specialist at APS, shared her perspective on the value of this certification process in another APS press release. She said, "Teachers who have gone through the Board certification process say that it is the most valuable and transformative professional development they have ever received. The opportunity to connect professional learning with classroom practice brings to life a teacher’s experience, helping them reflect on individual student learning needs."
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards' webpage explains that National Board Certification aims to develop and recognize accomplished teachers as it serves as the highest and most respected certification. The rate of certification is determined by candidates successfully completing assessments on all four components. The core focus is on assessors' ability to find compelling evidence of meeting specific National Board Standards for their respective certificate field.
