Teachers consider pursuing national certificate process

An orientation academy for teachers working toward an advanced national certificate is being held by Emporia State University tomorrow through Saturday.  This is the ninth year the academy has been held; the last six years it has been supported by the State Farm Insurance Companies. 

The process a teacher goes through to gain the certification is one of the main ways the teaching profession recognizes excellence among its ranks.

The academy held in Emporia this week prepares teachers for the process of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher.  Teachers who ultimately receive a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate show they have met high and rigorous professional standards through peer review.

The academy will be held in the Jones Institute for Educational Excellence in the Earl Center , 1601 State St. , in Emporia . Friday's sessions will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 8 p.m.  Saturday's sessions will start at 8 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m.

Kansas has an initial board certification rate far above the national average. The initial certification rate for Kansas teachers last reported was 65%, compared to the national rate of 39%.

The program for providing professional support for the certification has been available at ESU since 1993. It operates from the Great Plains Center for National Teacher Certification in ESU's Jones Institute for Educational Excellence (JIEE).

Contact JIEE for more information about the NBPTS program at ESU by visiting  www.emporia.edu/jones/ or call 620- 341-5372, 877-378-5433 toll free.

Last Updated July 2, 2007