OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi’s World Class Teaching Program, an organization that supports teachers seeking to become National Board Certified Teachers, will host a summer workshop July 18-21 in Oxford to raise awareness of recent changes related to earning the credential.
The workshop also will focus on explaining the NBCT certification process, choosing the correct certificate and completing the four components of the application process. In Mississippi, teachers who complete the certification receive a $6,000 annual pay increase funded by the state Legislature.
“I would encourage all Mississippi teachers to consider making national boards part of their career path,” said Tammy Kirkland, the university’s WCTP director. “The rewards that teachers and their students will receive make the journey incredibly worthwhile. Our door is open and ready to help any educator who needs us.”
The NBCT designation, which is issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, is a mark of excellence among educators, and the state-funded pay increase is guaranteed for the life of the certificate.
Three major changes concerning national board certification being implemented in the coming year will be of interest to Mississippi teachers:
- Beginning this fall, the NBCT process can be completed on a one-, two- or three-year track. Previously, the credential was completed in one year.
- Effective July 1, Mississippi teachers can be reimbursed the cost of individual test components from the Mississippi Department of Education following the completion of each individual component.
- Also effective July 1, national board teachers in 13 counties will receive a stipend of $10,000 a year, instead of $6,000. These counties are: Adams, Amite, Bolivar, Claiborne, Coahoma, Issaquena, Jefferson, Leflore, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Washington and Wilkinson.
The Ole Miss WCTP program is one of six chapters in the state. Others are housed at Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi. Ole Miss WCTP candidates have a higher than average first-time passage rate on the exam.
“The WCTP is the best professional development I have ever been through in the past 10 years,” said Temple Hester, a social studies teacher at Tupelo High School. “As teachers, we are constantly having to go through professional development, but this one forces you to think critically about your teaching and practice on a high level.”
Designed for working teachers, the WCTP connects NBCT candidates with experienced mentors, free online and face-to-face support and additional workshops throughout the year.
“There are five other WCTP chapters in Mississippi,” Kirkland said. “What separates the Ole Miss program is our 19 years of experience and success that we have had in supporting teachers. Our program continues to grow and adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of the classroom teacher.”
The university’s WCTP is accepting applications from Mississippi teachers who want to participate in candidate support programs this fall. The 2016-2017 WCTP application can be found online at http://wctp.olemiss.edu/applications. For more information, contact Kirkland at kirkland@olemiss.edu or 662-507-9869.
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