Serving each and every student academically, socially and emotionally through a rigorous and relevant education that is innovative and individualized is not only part of the Bellevue School District’s mission; it is also lived out in the experiences of BSD educators and students. BSD is proud to announce that 65 educators received or renewed their National Board Certification in the 2021-2022 assessment cycle, further showing their commitment to students and lifelong learning. BSD is also a National Board Accomplished District, with greater than 40% of teachers achieving National Board Certification.
The Gold Standard: Advancing the Quality of Teaching and Learning
The founding mission of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is to advance the quality of teaching and learning by: maintaining high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do; providing a national voluntary system certifying teachers who meet these standards, and advocating related education reforms to integrate National Board Certification in American education and to capitalize on the expertise of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs). Recognized as the “gold standard” in teacher certification, the National Board believes higher standards for teachers means better learning for students.
Newly Certified Teachers Share Their Experiences
In 2022, eight BSD teachers received their National Board Certification for the first time. Several shared their experiences and why they chose to complete their certification.
“Pursuing National Board certification pushed me to deeply reflect on both the nuances of my teaching practice and how they impact the learning and progress of each student in my classroom, as well as how I show up in my school community as a whole. It was a challenging process that transformed the way I approach the assessment cycle and social studies education in general. As a result, I feel I can create a more rigorous and inclusive learning environment for ALL of my students.”
-Johanna Fischer, World History (Core/AP) & IB Psychology Teacher, Interlake High School
“I am a caregiver to an elderly parent, a homeowner with a Seattle-sized mortgage, and I desire to maximize my family’s financial wealth now and throughout my retirement. I engaged in National Board Certification primarily for the financial benefits. The National Board Certification is one of the few ways in which educators can engage in professional development that literally ‘pays off.’”
-Janet Towne, AP World History, Contemporary World Affairs, Human Geography Teacher, International School
Washington State Educators Lead the Way
When it comes to National Board Certification, the state of Washington sits near the top of the rankings in a variety of metrics, including:
- First in State Rankings by Total Number of National Board Certified Teachers Who Maintained Certification, with 1,427 NBCTs
- Second in State Rankings by Total Number of New National Board Certified Teachers, with 256 new NBCTs
- Third in State Rankings by Total Number of National Board Certified Teachers, with 12,010 NBCTs
Professional Development Opportunities Through Community Partnerships
Thank you to the Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF), who has supported National Board Certification among BSD teachers since 2003. In 2020, the Foundation received a generous gift of $500,000 from the Hanson Family Foundation to develop the Sherry Ladd Endowment for Teacher Development. This generous gift will be used to encourage and support National Board Certification for teachers in the district by paying for certification costs not covered by BSD or BSF.
Learn more about BSF’s support of National Board Certification.