NYSUT congratulates 50 teachers who earned top honor

uring a special livestream ceremony in April, NYSUT and state education leaders celebrated 50 outstanding New York teachers who achieved certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. NYSUT Executive Vice President Jaime Ciffone was joined by Regents Chancellor Lester Young and State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa to congratulate this exceptional cohort of educators.

NBCTs shared what the rigorous process has meant to them, many explaining that it gave them renewed passion and purpose, reaffirmed their commitment to providing meaningful experiences for students, and reinforced the personal importance of continued professional development and lifelong learning.

Jill DeRosa, a second grade teacher and member of the Bellport Teachers Association, said the process reinforced the importance of intentional observation “and the deep reflection around our curriculum so that we can be responsive to the diverse needs of all the students that we are charged to teach.”

For Wendy Hill, a teacher of the blind and visually impaired who travels to different school districts served through the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES, the process improved her work with her teaching colleagues. “I’ve learned to make sure that I have enough time in my schedule to be able to provide effective collaboration with my colleagues so the students’ needs can be met by not just me, but by either the general ed or special ed team,” said Hill, a member of the Saratoga-Adirondack BOCES Employees Association.

Widely known as the “gold standard” of the teaching profession, National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education. NYSUT strongly supports national board candidates by offering awareness programs, supportive writing retreats, online discussion forums and professional learning through the union’s Education & Learning Trust and the state network of teacher centers.

The union has also successfully advocated for local incentives, stipends and the state’s Albert Shanker Grant, which covers the costs for National Board Certification. Learn more at nysut.org/NBPTS. Watch NYSUT’s online celebration for newly board certified teachers at nysut.org/nbct.