National Board Support Seminars
Certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is a symbol of professional teaching excellence. Studies show that National Board Certified Teachers not only raise student achievement but also are committed to improving their schools.
NCCAT’s National Board Support Seminars provide teachers with a focused environment to create the performance-based assessment portfolios required for National Board Certification. During these five-day residential seminars, candidates are guided and encouraged by candidate support providers (who have already achieved certification), and collaborate with other teachers.
For the fifth year, the Golden LEAF Foundation is providing major support for NCCAT’s National Board Support Seminars. Previously, financial assistance has been provided by the Progress Energy Foundation, Duke Energy, the DeWitt Wallace Foundation, the Cemala Foundation, and State Farm Insurance.
Participants from across the state are registered through a fair and equitable process. At this time, the demand for these seminars is higher than resources and accommodations allow.
Frequently Asked Questions about NCCAT Support Seminars
The process involves written exercises that probe the depth of a candidate’s subject-matter knowledge, as well as his or her understanding of how to teach those subjects. The National Board has developed standards in 25 fields. All NBPTS standards are based on the National Board’s Five Core Propositions for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. The standards serve as the basis for National Board Certification®. For complete information go to http://www.nbpts.org.
What are NCCAT’s National Board Support Seminars?
NCCAT’s National Board Support Seminars assist teachers’ efforts to earn this Certification by providing five-day residencies at NCCAT dedicated to reflecting on best teaching practices for the portfolio required by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. During these seminars, candidates are divided into small groups and work with a candidate support provider who holds National Board Certification.
Who is eligible for NCCAT’s National Board Support Seminars?
Email natboard@nccat.org for details.
How do I apply for NCCAT’s National Board Support Seminars?
- Register with the National Board—making sure you click on your state (North Carolina) so you can register with DPI. Check their Web pages for information at: www.nbpts.org and www.dpi.state.nc.us.
- NCCAT will email you a special letter of invitation and application to apply for a slot in an NCCAT National Board support seminar.
- Once we receive your NCCAT application, you will become eligible to be randomly selected for placement in a NCCAT National Board support seminar. You will be notified if selected.
Other Information:
Each year NCCAT receives more than 1,500 applications and is able to fill approximately 450 slots. All teachers who apply remain eligible throughout the on-going selection process, taking place between July and March.
The selection process is based on an equitable model whereby consideration is given to all 25 areas of National Board Certification and all 115 school districts. This is not a first-come, first-served process.
In each National Board Support Seminar, candidates work in small groups from the same National Board area guided by a National Board Certified Teacher from their area.
When are NCCAT’s National Board Support Seminars offered this year?
Seminars will be offered between July and March. Please email natboard@nccat.org for details.