Julia M. Reffel Renews National Board Certification

VALDOSTA -- Julia M. Reffel, a professor in the Department of Early Childhood and Special Education at Valdosta State University, has renewed the highest credential available to American educators as a national board certified teacher through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

National board certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment of a teacher's pedagogical skills and content knowledge. Certification is valid for 10 years, after which teachers are invited to renew by completing a Profile of Professional Growth, which requires them to provide evidence that their teaching practices continue to meet the standards for their initial certification.

“My initial board certification was in November of 2002,” said Reffel, who joined the VSU faculty in 1997. “Attaining national board certification provided me with the opportunity to remain current in my practice as a special education teacher. As a VSU faculty member, I think it is important that students realize that we can demonstrate the evidence-based practices that we are teaching them. National board certification provides me with additional credibility as an educator.”

While state licensing systems set the basic requirements to teach in each state, national board certified teachers have demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills, and practices. NBPTS certification identifies qualified teachers as leaders in their field

"As the nation focuses on building the strongest possible teaching workforce, national board certification is the gold standard in affirming excellence in the classroom," said Ron Thorpe, NBPTS president and chief executive officer. "These highly qualified teachers are true 'nation builders' and are the educators who are best positioned to lead the ground-up movement our schools need to reach their potential."

A recent comprehensive study by the nonpartisan National Research Council found that students taught by board certified teachers make higher gains on achievement tests than students taught by other teachers. In fact, improved student learning and achievement are two key benefits of the programs and services provided through NBPTS.

For more information, please visit www.growgreatschools.org.