Congrats to Rachel Graham!
National Board Certified Teacher
National Board Certification
This is a huge honor and takes so much hard work and dedication. Rachel has been employed with Estes Park School District since 2007. She is currently a literacy interventionist at our Elementary School. We are very proud of her accomplishments!
Rachel was selected to participate in the Colorado Center for Rural Education National Board Certification Stipend Program. This program gives talented K-12 educators in rural Colorado school districts stipends to pursue National Board Teacher Certification. If selected as a National Board Teacher Certification Scholar, the recipient receives half of the stipend at the start of the program and the remaining half after successfully completing the program and is Board Certified in a specific area of specialization (a total of $3,975).
There are currently only 1,077 National Board Certified Educators in Colorado. Additional teachers that also hold this prestigious certification in our district include Jeff Arnold, Jim Johnson, and Erin Miller.
For more information on the Colorado Center for Rural Education NBTC Scholarship, click here.
Reasons to Certify?
There are many reasons to become board-certified. Board-certified teachers prove their effectiveness in the classroom every day:
- Students learn more. A decade of research shows that students of Board-certified teachers learn more than their peers without Board-certified teachers. Studies have also found that the positive impact of having a Board-certified teacher is even greater for minority and low-income students.
- Teachers improve their practice. Board Certification allows teachers to hone their practice, showcase their talent in the classroom and demonstrate their dedication to their students and their profession.
- Demonstrate a commitment to excellence. Schools with National Board Certified Teachers are characterized by better teacher morale and retention and increased community involvement. Districts and schools that want to drive student learning recognize the power of Board certification and are taking steps to empower and raise the status of accomplished teachers.
What are the benefits of being an NBCT in CO?
Colorado teachers who hold a professional license and achieve National Board Certification are eligible for Master Teacher certification, which extends the term for state license renewal from five to seven years. Additionally, professional development activities related to National Board Certification may be used for license renewal. For new Colorado educators, a valid National Board certificate is accepted for reciprocity to issue a Colorado Professional License provided certain requirements are met. For more information, please visit the Colorado Department of Education website.
Financial Incentives
During the 2012-13 legislative session, Colorado lawmakers established a stipend of $1,600 for educators who hold a valid certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. An additional $3,200 was added for educators employed in high-need schools, for a total stipend of $4,800 for NBCTs who teach in Priority Improvement Plan or Turnaround Plan schools. All stipends are subject to availability of funding and annual legislative approval.