By encouraging reflection and collaboration and by setting high standards for practice, the National Board Certification process itself makes a powerful contribution to the professional growth of teachers. The deadline for submission of the application is November 25, 1999. 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. Founded in 1987, the private, nonprofit National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is governed by a board of local and state educators, policymakers, and others, a majority of whom are current classroom teachers. The Board is chaired by Barbara Kelley, a teacher in Bangor, Maine. The Founding Chairman is James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor of North Carolina, who served as chairman for 10 years. Eddie Davis, a Durham Public Schools teacher and member of the NEA Executive Committee, serves on the Board.