ALBANY, N.Y. Jan. 21, 2016 — New York State United Teachers today honors 73 teachers who have demonstrated mastery of the art of teaching and earned national certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, bringing the statewide total to 1,750 teachers who have reached the "gold standard" in the education profession.
"New York is already home to highly skilled and dedicated teachers who use their exemplary skills to directly benefit their students. The 73 teachers being honored today are the 'best of the best.' They have voluntarily tested and re-tested their knowledge and skills against the most rigorous credentialing process — and succeeded," said NYSUT President Karen E. Magee. "They are standard-bearers for our profession and true ambassadors of teaching excellence."
NYSUT is celebrating New York's teaching excellence at a 10 a.m. news conference at NYSUT headquarters, 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham. Regent Beverly Ouderkirk and other leading educators are expected to attend.
NYSUT Vice President Catalina Fortino said, "teachers who achieve national certification have chosen to voluntarily undertake a challenging and rewarding journey into their own teaching practice — all as part of an effort to build success for all students."
"These highly skilled and respected teachers represent their colleagues, past and present, who have achieved national certification," Fortino said. "They typically spend between 200 and 400 hours of their own time honing their classroom skills." She added that, to achieve national certification, "These teachers must demonstrate a deep knowledge of their subject area and a wide repertoire of instructional strategies."
Fortino noted that many of this year's new — and renewed — nationally certified teachers work in high-needs schools.
"National certification allows teachers to join other teacher leaders — and collaborate with their administration — on ways to create success for all students," Fortino said. "Nationally certified teachers are leading the way and helping to improve on the already high level of teaching taking place in our classrooms."
NYSUT assists national board candidates by offering awareness programs, support and advice through on-line discussion forums, conferences and professional development through its Education & Learning Trust. The union works with the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center and other teacher centers to support candidates through the challenging board-certification process.
New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.