The National Board has developed advanced standards for experienced teachers in 21 fields. Meeting these standards leads to designation as a National Board Certified Teacher. The standards grow out of the National Board's central policy statement, What Teachers Should Know and Be Able to Do , which outlines what the National Board values and what it believes should be honored in teaching. 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. During the yearlong certification process, Chris learned the value of self-reflection and collaboration with peers as she examined her teaching practice. As a result of her work toward certification, Chris realizes that not only do her peers think of her as a skillful teacher, but that she meets a high national standard of excellence. The thinking that resulted in her certification has become such a part of Chris's approach to teaching that she frequently examines the what and why of her daily lessons against the standards set by the Board. Asked if the related financial rewards made the process worth the effort, Chris has a few surprising answers.