Heinrich, Britt, Hirono, and Hyde-Smith Introduce Resolution to Recognize and Encourage National Board Certified Teachers

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) introduced a resolution to recognize National Board Certified Teachers by designating the last week of January as “National Board Certified Teacher Week.” The resolution also encourages administrators, school districts, and states to promote the growth of National Board Certified Teachers through salary incentives. U.S. House of Representatives Julia Letlow (R-La.) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) introduced companion legislation.

“My home state of New Mexico has one of the most robust certification programs for teachers in the entire country,” said Heinrich. “I am proud to introduce this resolution to recognize the major difference that National Board Certified teachers make in preparing our kids for success.”

“Education is the key to unlocking the American Dream for every child, and our nation’s incredible educators help empower students to reach their full potential and secure a bright future,” said Britt. “I’m proud that Alabama is home to so many excellent educators and National Board Certified Teachers, and I’m honored to introduce this resolution.”

“This week, we recognize over 130,000 National Board Certified teachers across the country,” said Hirono. “By opting to complete this rigorous certification process, these caring, competent, and creative educators have shown their commitment to improving their schools and enhancing the learning experience of their students. This resolution celebrates these educators and their dedication to children in Hawaii and across the nation.”

“Educational achievement among Mississippi students has made great strides in recent years, a fact that can be attributed in part to our state’s efforts to encourage more educators to become certified,” said Hyde-Smith. “Our bipartisan resolution endorses the National Board Certified Teachers program and seeks its growth into more classrooms.”  

“The dedication it takes to be an educator in any capacity is profound, and teachers who voluntarily opt to become nationally Board Certified are truly exemplary,” said Letlow. “The National Board Certification process is challenging, and teachers who go this route deserve special recognition. They provide a needed boost to low-income students, with 44% of them teaching in Title I schools, and increase quality of learning overall. As a mother, you pray that your children are in the care of good teachers, and I commend those who hold themselves to these high standards.”

“We are so excited and honored that the U.S. Congress has chosen to honor the work of our organization and of National Board Certified teachers by announcing these important resolutions,” said President and CEO of the National Board, Peggy Brookins, NBCT. “We know first-hand the vital impact that Board Certified teachers have on children’s learning across the country, and we are excited that this resolution will spread the word of that impact to lawmakers in both federal and state governments. A heartfelt thank you to Senators Britt, Heinrich, Hirono, and Hyde-Smith for co-sponsoring the resolution in the Senate, and for the partnership and support!” 

“National Board Certification has impacted my classroom by helping me to focus on who my students are and what my students need,” said Bianca Belmonte Sapien, a National Board Certified Teacher at Sequoyah Adolescent Treatment Center in Albuquerque, N.M. “As a trauma informed educator, I set high expectations for student achievement, meeting a wide range of needs, all while insuring that I too meet a high level of teaching standards through reflection and professional growth. Over the 20 years I have been an NBCT, I have connected to a community of educators and a wealth of opportunities that have enhanced my professional development,  including my role in mentorship and advocacy to recruit and retain educators through National Board Certification.”

Studies have shown students taught by National Board Certified Teachers learn more than their peers and are benefited by the leadership and mentorship National Board Certified Teachers provide. Board Certified teachers tend to stay in their professions much longer and can accelerate a student's learning by 1 to 2 months of instruction per school year.   

Studies also show that students who had a National Board Certified mathematics teacher just once during their education had increased lifetime earnings by $48,000.  

In addition to Heinrich, Britt, Hirono, and Hyde-Smith, the resolution is cosponsored in by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Angus King (I-Maine), Tina Smith (D-Mn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).  

In addition to Representatives Letlow (R-La.) and Bonamici (D-Ore.), the resolution is cosponsored in the House by U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (D-N.C.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Cartwright (D-Pa.), Ed Case (D-Hawaill), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Don Davis (D-Nc.), Mike Ezell (R-Miss.), Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), Max Miller (R-Ohio), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), David Trone (D-Md.), David Valadao (R-Calif.), and Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) in the House. 

Full text of the Resolution can be found HERE.