SCHENECTADY, N.Y. December 4, 2007 -- New York State United Teachers Vice President Maria Neira and Schenectady Schools Superintendent Eric Ely will honor six city teachers for attaining the teaching profession's "gold standard" - certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

The six Schenectady teachers are among 85 teachers statewide who Tuesday received national certification. Schenectady has one of the highest numbers of national Board-Certified Teachers in New York. In addition, 15 teachers from this year's "class" of board-certified teachers are from the Capital Region.

Neira and Ely will meet and congratulate the six teachers at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Mont Pleasant Middle School, 1121 Forest Road in Schenectady. Neira, Ely and the six Schenectady teachers will be available for media interviews.

Neira said National Board Certification - a voluntary process that takes most candidates 200-400 hours and more than a year to complete - is an effective strategy for helping to end the achievement gap.

Teachers who successfully achieve national certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards must demonstrate mastery of teaching; show the effect of their teaching on student performance; prove knowledge of their subject area; be able to manage and measure student learning; and be successful in reaching out to parents and the community.

"Quality teaching, the use of 'best practice' in the classroom, and collaboration between teachers and the administration are essential ingredients to ending the achievement gap," Neira said. "Schenectady is leading the way with its support for increasing the numbers of National Board Certified teachers, and its efforts are an important step toward helping to end the achievement gap."

NYSUT represents 585,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.