USD 457 Teacher Earns National Board Certification

Christopher Ligan, special education resource teacher at Alta Brown Elementary School, has officially achieved National Board Certification. This is a significant accomplishment and the highest professional credential a teacher can earn.

“We are proud to have Christopher, who has gone the extra mile to become a National Board Certified Teacher,” said Garden City Public School Superintendent Josh Guymon. “The designation shows that our students are receiving the highest-quality education from an exceptional teacher.”

The road to obtaining National Board Certification is challenging. Educators must submit a detailed portfolio that includes examples of student work, an outline of what teachers have done outside of the classroom to improve student achievement, and video recordings that show how they teach and interact with students. In addition, they must submit a reflective piece on student assessment and learning, and then take a rigorous exam to demonstrate they have mastered the content of their chosen certification area. Teachers were notified in December if they had achieved the certification.

National Board Certification is voluntary and open to all educators currently teaching with a state-issued license. Certification can be issued after three years of teaching experience. Certification is available in 25 certificate areas, from preschool through 12th grade. National Board Certified Teachers must go through a renewal process to maintain their certificate every five years.

The National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) was established in 1987 to develop, retain, and recognize teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide.  The NBCTs designation is the highest certification a teacher may obtain, in addition to being the most respected.