A message from MSEA President Paul Lemle
Where We Stand on National Board Certification
I won’t bury the lede: National Board Certification (NBC) is good for us. It’s good for our profession, and it’s great for our students
Most teachers know about the Blueprint’s $10,000 salary increase for achieving NBC, along with the additional $7,000 for working in a low-performing school. Both incentives exist in our contracts and in state law, and both are counted in pension calculations. The reason for higher pay is simple: research shows that students taught by NBCTs gain an additional 1-2 months of learning each year. Kindergarteners taught by NBCTs are 30% more likely to reach literacy proficiency. NBCTs function as collaborative partners and mentors in the building and use their experience to support colleagues.
Interested? Visit MSEA’s Professional Development Portal to check out MSEA’s Jump Start program for initial certification and maintenance support. Search for “Jump Start.”
Before becoming MSEA president, I decided to attempt my NBC. It seemed daunting. The process, however, was easier than I expected—I spent between 100-120 hours in one school year on it, or an average of about 30-45 minutes daily. And I learned a lot along the way! NBC meets our state licensure requirement, takes less time, and can pay more than
a master’s.
Maryland is leading the nation for teachers pursuing their NBC, and the number of teachers of color on this journey has increased by over 600% in the last five years. Every school system offers funding, convenes cohorts of candidates, and provides targeted support for teachers during the process. And your union is here to help—MSEA offers our Jump Start program for initial certification and maintenance support. No matter where you are in Maryland or in your career, NBC benefits your whole community.