The Chicago Board of Education honored 130 Chicago Public Schools (CPS) teachers on Mar. 19 for achieving or renewing their National Board Certification, the highest professional certification for educators in the United States. The recognition took place during the Board’s monthly meeting and included a resolution commending both first-time and renewing National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs). A district-wide celebration with the Mayor’s Office and the Chicago Teachers Union is scheduled for March 31 at the union’s office on Carroll Avenue.
This recognition highlights CPS’s commitment to educational excellence and professional development among its staff. The district currently ranks third nationally in total number of NBCTs, with nearly 3,000 certified educators across its schools.
“When CPS educators pursue this distinction, they are choosing to elevate their capacity and to hold themselves to the highest standards of excellence,” said Chicago Board of Education President Sean B. Harden. “Their dedication inspires our entire District and sends a clear message to students that they deserve the very best. As a District, we celebrate our National Board Certified Teachers for serving as a powerful example of an unwavering belief in the importance of education.”
Dr. Macquline King, Interim CPS CEO/Superintendent and herself a former NBCT, said, “National Board Certification is more than a credential. It is a rigorous, two-year professional learning experience that challenges our teachers to reflect deeply on their practice, refine their craft and demonstrate measurable impact on student learning. By equipping our educators with the highest standards of excellence and supporting them through this transformative journey, we strengthen instruction and expand opportunity for students. When our educators grow in skill, confidence, and leadership, our students benefit in achievement, engagement, and long-term success.”
The Nurturing Teacher Leadership program supports candidates through this process at no cost to participants. Candidates spend over 500 hours across two years reviewing pedagogy, building portfolios, collaborating with colleagues and parents, analyzing teaching videos with peers, and preparing for content-area exams.
Stacy Davis Gates, President of the Chicago Teachers Union said: “At a time when public education and the profession of teachers is under attack, Chicago and our educators are demonstrating their love of their students and their craft. We are so proud to lead the Nurturing Teacher Leadership program in partnership with CPS – it is a terrific example of what can be done when our union, our District, and our educators partner for what our students deserve.”
Katherine Sabillón from Lloyd Elementary School reflected on her experience as both an English Language learner herself and now as an educator: “Many of my students are doing exactly what I once did: listening carefully, watching closely, and relying on relationships to make sense of their learning environment,” Ms. Sabillón said.“Through NTL, I learned how to intentionally respond to those moments rather than leaving language development to chance.”
Lynn Cherkasky-Davis from CTUF Quest Center concluded: “The new and newly-renewed NBCTs are to be applauded for meeting the high standards of the National Board… This accomplishment is a reason to celebrate the impact Board Certified teachers have on thousands of CPS students and on our teaching profession at large.”
