Big Bend National Board Cohort
Five districts have joined together to participate in the Big Bend National Board Cohort funded by a TEA grant. The participating districts will select qualified teachers to engage in the National Board certification process. Interested teachers should contact their Superintendent for additional information and the application. Districts that are participating are listed below.
- Alpine ISD
- Marfa ISD
- Marathon ISD
- Presidio ISD
- Terlingua CSD
What is National Board?
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is a not-for-profit professional organization, created and governed by practicing teachers and their advocates. National Board believes higher standards for teachers mean better learning for students. National Board Certification validly and reliably identifies when teachers meet the standards for accomplished teaching, that were developed by teachers with the NBPTS.
How does National Board Certification work with the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA)?
Eligible National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) will earn a Recognized designation on their Texas educator certificate. The designation will expire in conjunction with the teacher’s National Board Certification. To be eligible for the Recognized TIA designation, NBCTs must have a one-year or standard Texas teaching certificate. Teachers with a Recognized designation must be employed as a Texas teacher (087 role ID in PEIMS) and complete a creditable year of service in order to generate funding for that year. The recognized designation generates anywhere from $3,000 to $9,000 for the NBCT’s district. The total amount depends on the socioeconomic status of the students and the campus’ rural status.
5 Core Propositions
Certification centers on the 5 Core Propositions listed below.
- Teachers are committed to students and their learning
- Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students
- Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning
- Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience
- Teachers are members of learning communities
Four Components of the Certification Process
- Component 1: Content Knowledge – A computer-based assessment asks you to demonstrate your understanding of content knowledge and pedagogical practices for teaching your content area. You must demonstrate knowledge of developmentally appropriate content, which is necessary for teaching across the full age range and ability level of your chosen certificate area.
- Component 2: Differentiation in Instruction – This portfolio entry requires that candidates gather and analyze information about individual students’ strengths and needs and use that information to design and implement instruction to advance student learning and achievement. You will submit selected work samples that demonstrate the students’ growth over time and a written commentary that analyzes your instructional choices.
- Component 3: Teaching Practice and Learning Environment – This portfolio entry requires video recordings of interactions between you and your students. You will also submit a written commentary in which you describe, analyze, and reflect on your teaching and interactions with students.
- Component 4: Effective and Reflective Practitioner – This portfolio entry requires you to demonstrate evidence of your abilities as an effective and reflective practitioner in developing and applying knowledge of your students; your use of assessments to effectively plan for and positively impact your students’ learning; and your collaboration to advance students’ learning and growth.
Five districts have joined together to participate in the Big Bend National Board Cohort funded by a TEA grant. The participating districts will select qualified teachers to engage in the National Board certification process.