Heinrich, Britt, Hirono, & Hyde-Smith: Senate Passes Bipartisan Resolution Designating Last Week of January as “National Board Certified Teacher Week"

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) announced that the U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan resolution they introduced to recognize National Board Certified Teachers by designating the last week of January as “National Board Certified Teacher Week.”

 

“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 the Senate has passed our bipartisan 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 excited to see this resolution pass the Senate.”

 

“I am glad the Senate has passed this resolution to celebrate thousands of dedicated National Board Certified teachers across the country,” said Hirono. “Caring, competent, and creative educators are crucial to the development and success of our students. This resolution provides teachers with the recognition they deserve.”

 

“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 Senate-passed resolution endorses the National Board Certified Teachers program and seeks its growth into more classrooms so that even a greater number of teachers and students will benefit.”

 

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.).  

 

“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 i 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.  

 

Full text of the resolution can be found HERE.