National Board Certified Teacher Incentive Program
National Board Certification is a nationwide certification program designed to recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools. Quality educators are key to student success. The Maryland State Department of Education is implementing a new Blueprint for Maryland’s Future program to attract and retain National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) throughout the state.
The certification process is designed to be flexible, efficient, and affordable. To become a board certified teacher, eligible candidates must demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and practice in their individual certificate area. Learn more about the process to earn National Board Certification.
Financial support is available for existing Maryland teachers interested in pursuing certification. Learn how to apply for National Board Certification fee support. We also encourage educators to reach out to their local school systems to learn about available supports for this program.
Benefits for National Board Certified Teachers
Direct Impact on Students
DIRECT IMPACT
Research has demonstrated that Board-certified teachers positively impact student learning.
More Opportunities for Advancement
MORE OPPORTUNITIES
Board-certified teachers are recognized as experts and they are often sought out for leadership positions in their schools and districts.
Financial Incentives
Financial Incentives
Fee support and salary incentives up to $17k are available to Maryland teachers to pursue, achieve, and maintain National Board Certification.
What is National Board Certification?
National Board Certification is a professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students and schools. It was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide.
Important Resources
What Low Performing Schools are eligible?
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) will identify the schools eligible for the program each year. Maryland public schools earning a 1 or 2 star rating in the Maryland’s Accountability System in two of the last three available years of data meet the State definition. In addition to schools meeting the State definition, each local school system will also have the flexibility to also include up to 10 percent of the low performing schools within their district. This local flexibility invites all local school systems to participate in the NBCT program based on local circumstances and priorities.
MSDE will publish a complete list of participating schools starting each year beginning with the 2022-23 school year.
How are low performing schools identified for the program?
MSDE has released the first iteration of the State’s Framework for National Board Certified Teachers and Low Performing Schools (Framework 1.0), which identifies schools eligible for the program. This framework includes the following methodology:
- The use of multiple years of data improves the identification process to ensure that low performing schools over multiple years are identified.
- Elementary, Middle and High schools earning a 1 or 2 star rating for two years meet the state definition and must be included in the program. LEAs that have more than 10 percent of total schools meeting the state definition of low performing cannot use the local flexibility option to include additional schools.
- Under the local flexibility option, 10 percent of eligible schools is based on the total number of schools in each LEA.
What happens if my school improves?
Once a school is identified as participating in the NBCT and low performing school program, the school remains in the program even if the school improves and is no longer identified as a low performing school.
National Board Certified Teacher Profiles
Discover how becoming a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) in Maryland can elevate your teaching career! In this video, we explain the certification process, from eligibility to career advancement, and show how you’ll receive support every step of the way. Learn about the professional and financial benefits, including salary increases and leadership opportunities.
Hear firsthand from NBCTs as they share how this prestigious certification has transformed their careers and classrooms. Whether you’re starting your teaching journey or looking to grow, pursuing National Board Certification is a fantastic opportunity for professional growth and impact.
Clarelisa Rivera is a dedicated Spanish teacher at Glen Burnie High School in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, with 20 years of teaching experience. Originally from Puerto Rico, she achieved her National Board Certification (NBC) in 2012 and completed Maintenance of Certification in 2021, a process that enhanced her teaching practices and deepened her understanding of student reflection. Clarelisa took advantage of the MSDE Fee Incentive Program, which covered the cost of her NBC component fees for both certification experiences.
Now, as an educator, she feels more connected to her students and their families and has embraced the opportunity to teach Advanced Placement (AP) classes at Glen Burnie. Clarelisa encourages other Maryland teachers to pursue NBC: “It’s not easy, but the support is there, and it’s achievable. You’ll learn a lot about yourself as an educator and become a better teacher for your students.
Esther Ward has worked for 20 years as a Speech/Language Pathologist in Baltimore City Public Schools, primarily focusing on elementary and preschool students at Northwood Elementary School. She achieved her National Board Certification (NBC) in 2011 and renewed in 2021, using the Fee Incentive Program for both certification experiences.
Through the NBC process, Esther not only enhanced her teaching practices but also improved student engagement and ensured equitable participation in her sessions. The reflective nature of the process led her to refine her methods based on student data, ultimately benefiting her students’ language skills.
Esther actively collaborates with families and community partners, securing resources and grants to support her students. Since 2021, she has led a cohort of educators striving for NBC, providing one-on-one mentoring that has proven instrumental in their journeys.
She encourages Maryland teachers to pursue National Board Certification, emphasizing its tremendous benefits for professional growth, increased content expertise, and the development of reflective practice, positioning them among the best educators in the country.
Elizabeth Reinhardt has dedicated 15 years to teaching music at Hammond High School, where she inspires students through the art of orchestra. She achieved National Board Certification in 2017 and completed Maintenance of Certification in 2022, taking advantage of MSDE’s fee incentive program twice, which played a crucial role in her pursuit of this prestigious certification.
The National Board Certification process challenged Elizabeth to reflect deeply on her teaching methods and adapt her practices to better serve her students. This journey not only enhanced her instructional strategies but also fostered a more engaging and supportive classroom environment. Through increased reflection and collaboration with colleagues, she has developed innovative approaches to meet diverse student needs and promote a positive classroom culture.
Driven by a desire to make a lasting impact on her students’ lives, Elizabeth believes in the power of building meaningful relationships and teaching essential life skills such as perseverance, teamwork, and critical thinking. She encourages fellow educators to pursue National Board Certification, highlighting its potential to elevate teaching practices and recognize the dedication of educators committed to continuous growth.
Clarelisa Rivera is a dedicated Spanish teacher at Glen Burnie High School in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, with 20 years of teaching experience. Originally from Puerto Rico, she achieved her National Board Certification (NBC) in 2012 and completed Maintenance of Certification in 2021, a process that enhanced her teaching practices and deepened her understanding of student reflection. Clarelisa took advantage of the MSDE Fee Incentive Program, which covered the cost of her NBC component fees for both certification experiences.
Now, as an educator, she feels more connected to her students and their families and has embraced the opportunity to teach Advanced Placement (AP) classes at Glen Burnie. Clarelisa encourages other Maryland teachers to pursue NBC: “It’s not easy, but the support is there, and it’s achievable. You’ll learn a lot about yourself as an educator and become a better teacher for your students.
Esther Ward has worked for 20 years as a Speech/Language Pathologist in Baltimore City Public Schools, primarily focusing on elementary and preschool students at Northwood Elementary School. She achieved her National Board Certification (NBC) in 2011 and renewed in 2021, using the Fee Incentive Program for both certification experiences.
Through the NBC process, Esther not only enhanced her teaching practices but also improved student engagement and ensured equitable participation in her sessions. The reflective nature of the process led her to refine her methods based on student data, ultimately benefiting her students’ language skills.
Esther actively collaborates with families and community partners, securing resources and grants to support her students. Since 2021, she has led a cohort of educators striving for NBC, providing one-on-one mentoring that has proven instrumental in their journeys.
She encourages Maryland teachers to pursue National Board Certification, emphasizing its tremendous benefits for professional growth, increased content expertise, and the development of reflective practice, positioning them among the best educators in the country.
Elizabeth Reinhardt has dedicated 15 years to teaching music at Hammond High School, where she inspires students through the art of orchestra. She achieved National Board Certification in 2017 and completed Maintenance of Certification in 2022, taking advantage of MSDE’s fee incentive program twice, which played a crucial role in her pursuit of this prestigious certification.
The National Board Certification process challenged Elizabeth to reflect deeply on her teaching methods and adapt her practices to better serve her students. This journey not only enhanced her instructional strategies but also fostered a more engaging and supportive classroom environment. Through increased reflection and collaboration with colleagues, she has developed innovative approaches to meet diverse student needs and promote a positive classroom culture.
Driven by a desire to make a lasting impact on her students’ lives, Elizabeth believes in the power of building meaningful relationships and teaching essential life skills such as perseverance, teamwork, and critical thinking. She encourages fellow educators to pursue National Board Certification, highlighting its potential to elevate teaching practices and recognize the dedication of educators committed to continuous growth.
