Challenging. Humbling. Empowering.
Those were some of the words used by the state’s newest National Board Certified Teachers to describe their journey earning the nation’s highest credential for teachers.
Yonkers teacher Christine Heidelberger called the process “reinspiring,” just when she needed it most.
After 17 years in teaching, the pre-K educator was struggling — especially with the pressures of teaching during a pandemic.
The reflective and supportive National Board experience gave her just the jumpstart she needed. “Through this process I’ve gained so much affirmation and knowledge,” Heidelberger said. “I’m excited for the future for myself and my students.”
In an online celebration including teachers from around the state, NYSUT, State Education Department and National Board officials congratulated New York’s 51 teachers who completed the rigorous process in 2021.
“This is the beginning of a journey … to serve as change agents,” said Peggy Brookins, president of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. “Your board certification is a tool to leverage change.”
She urged NBCTs to advocate on issues, mentor novice teachers and support colleagues to pursue the national credential.
NYSUT Executive Vice President Jolene DiBrango said the union has been a longtime supporter of National Board Certification. “We know the value NBCTs bring to our profession.”
And as we face a teacher shortage, DiBrango said the rate of turnover for NBCTs is three times lower than the general population of educators. She urged the new NBCTs to step up as leaders and take new teachers under their wings to help them get through those first difficult years.
New York is now home to 2,224 National Board Certified Teachers who have completed the voluntary performance-based assessment process that includes a portfolio, student work samples, videos and analysis of a candidate’s teaching and student learning.
Nearly 300 districts have locally negotiated incentives for NBCTs such as salary step increases, stipends or release time. NYSUT supports candidates with regional writing institutes and support groups through teacher centers.
NYSUT also advocated for the state’s Shanker grant, named in honor of the legendary union leader Albert Shanker, to help educators cover application costs. About 84 percent of the Class of 2021 NBCTs were supported by the Shanker grant, which defrays a candidates $1,900 fee for all four components — plus provides districts with up to $500 per candidate for supportive services such as hiring a substitute to cover classes during release time.
“National Board Certification is an investment in learning that enriches the teachers who complete the experience and benefits their students and colleagues as well,” State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa said. “I am proud of the work these extraordinary teachers have already done and of the work they will continue to do as mentors and leaders in their schools.”
Other speakers included Board of Regents Chancellor Lester Young Jr., Regent Roger Tilles and NBCT Jose Vilson, a former New York City teacher who is an NBPTS Board member and founder of Educolor, an organization dedicated to race and social justice issues in education.
“National Board is the way for us to elevate the profession to the one that we deserve,” Vilson said. “I know it was hard. I tried it three times. Look closely at the five standards we’ve mastered. You may be hundreds of miles apart but you are interconnected now as a learning community.”
Vilson noted that at a time marked by the COVID pandemic, economic uncertainty and difficult conversations about race, gender, class and sexual orientation, it can be tough for educators to focus on the positive. “We get to be those beacons for the profession when right now it might feel real dark,” he said. “You’re building the profession that teaches others to look forward forever and a day.”
A complete list of New York's newly-certified NBCTs is below.
NYS NBCTs by the numbers
- New NBCTs in 2020-21: 51
- Renewed: 83
- Total NBCTs: 2,224
- Current candidates: 693
Top school districts (Number certified)
- New York City (299)
- Schenectady (77)
- Arlington (71)
- Wappingers (57)
- Rochester (45)
Current candidates
- New York City (212)
- Yonkers (30)
- Newburgh (22)
- Manhasset (13)
Source: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Event Agenda
Welcome and Remarks:
- Jolene DiBrango, Executive Vice President, New York State United Teachers
Remarks:
- Dr. Lester W. Young, Jr., Chancellor of the NYS Board of Regents
- Roger Tilles, Regent, NYS Board of Regents
- Dr. Betty A. Rosa, Commissioner of Education, New York State Education Department
- Peggy Brookins, President and CEO, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Closing Remarks:
- José Vilson, NBCT and NBPTS Board of Directors
Moderators:
- Susan Lafond, NBCT, Assistant in Educational Services, New York State United Teachers
- Laura Glass, Senior Policy Advisor for Higher Education, New York State Education Department
- Elena Bruno, Albert Shanker Grant Coordinator, New York State Education Department
2021 Newly Certified NBCTs
CHITTENANGO TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Elizabeth Carpenter
Science/AYA
CORNWALL CENTRAL TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Olga Chernyak
World Languages/EAYA
GRAND ISLAND TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Mary Howard
Generalist/MC
HALF HOLLOW HILLS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Camellia Amadio
Exceptional Needs Specialist/ECYA
Lisa Cannata
Exceptional Needs Specialist/ECYA
Caroline Greene
Exceptional Needs Specialist/ECYA
Lauren Ruiz
Exceptional Needs Specialist/ECYA
HASTINGS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Steven Lopez
World Languages/EAYA
HUDSON FALLS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Sharon Farrell
English Language Arts/AYA
JAMESVILLE-DEWITT FACULTY ASSOCIATION
David Bunyan
Social Studies-History/AYA
Andrew Cottet
Social Studies-History/AYA
LAFAYETTE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
David Amidon
Science/EA
LONG BEACH CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Christine Graham
Social Studies-History/AYA
PLAINEDGE FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Maura Czachor
Mathematics/EA
SCHENECTADY FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Rebecca Benjamin
Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/EMC
Donya Clute
Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/EMC
Jessica Kohout
Science/AYA
Ellen Lin
Science/AYA
Julie Neugebauer
Mathematics/EA
SEWANHAKA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Joan Molloy-Castles
Exceptional Needs Specialist/ECYA
Lorin Wirth-Eckl
Exceptional Needs Specialist/ECYA
SMITHTOWN TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Jennifer Keller
Social Studies-History/AYA
SPRINGS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Ryan Scala
Generalist/MC
STILLWATER TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Madison Ramnes
Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/EMC
SYOSSET TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Manoj Thadhani
Social Studies-History/AYA
SYRACUSE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Melicia Edwards
Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/EMC
UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Michelle Asaro
Exceptional Needs Specialist/ECYA
Jihyun Bahng
Mathematics/AYA
Yvonne Banks
Generalist/EC
Katelyn Chinnis
Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/EMC
Ivelisse Cortes
Exceptional Needs Specialist/ECYA
Kiersten Franz
Mathematics/AYA
Diana Guerrini
Generalist/EC
Yesenia Moreno
English as a New Language/EMC
Mary Petit
Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/EMC
Vincent Pham
English as a New Language/EAYA
Sarah Przedborski
Generalist/EC
Cassandra Regan
Exceptional Needs Specialist/ECYA
Cynthia Serrano
Exceptional Needs Specialist/ECYA
Julia Shube
Mathematics/AYA
Jessica VanScoy
Social Studies-History/AYA
Susan Wierzbowski
Exceptional Needs Specialist/ECYA
UNITED LIVERPOOL FACULTY ASSOCIATION
Valerie Manzo
Generalist/EC
WAPPINGERS CT
Laura Ineson
Science/EA
WEST GENESEE DISTRICT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Kelli Barbuto
Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/EMC
YONKERS FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Christine Heidelberger
Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/EMC
UNAFFILIATED
Molly Goodell
Science/EA
Grace Hwang
Generalist/EC
Chris Marshall
Exceptional Needs Specialist-ECYA
Kasey Rabideau
Social Studies-History/EA
Stephanie Schaefer
Mathematics/AYA
Key:
- AYA: Adolescence and Young Adulthood
- EA: Early Adolescence
- EAYA: Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
- EC: Early Childhood
- ECYA: Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
- EMC: Early and Middle Childhood
- MC: Middle Childhood
For NYSUT resources on National Board Certification, visit nysut.org/nbpts.