tennessee teachers earn national board certification

Thirty-nine Tennessee teachers have earned National Board Certification, a  stringent, voluntary certification process administered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

To date, 287 Tennessee teachers have met the National Board Certification requirements which can take between one and three years to complete.

Sevier County is proud to have Cathy Sivyer of Seymour on that list since 2004.

“Students benefit from teachers who are passionate about their work and continually strive to improve how well they teach,” Education Commissioner Lana Seivers said. “I encourage teachers to pursue every opportunity to hone your skills and keep your enthusiasm for teaching alive.”

Candidates undergo a 10-part evaluation process specific to the teacher’s discipline, including performance assessments of teaching strategies and written exercises to assess subject knowledge. Certification typically takes between 200 and 400 hours. To be eligible, a teacher must be a college graduate with a valid teaching license and at least three years experience in the classroom.

All applicants must submit an evaluation portfolio, including: two video recordings of classroom teaching with a self-analysis and reflection one written analysis and reflection of a collection of student work documentation of work completed outside the classroom and evidence of how it has impacted student learning six online constructed response questions demonstrating subject-matter expertise, 30 minutes each.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an independent organization formed in 1987 in response to the Carnegie Task Force on Teaching Report, A Nation Prepared: Teachers for the 21st Century. The board is governed by teachers, school board members, higher education officials, legislators, business leaders, and community members.