Arlington, VA – The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is proud to congratulate the six National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) named State Teachers of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). These outstanding teachers have demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and passion in their classrooms, profoundly impacting the lives of their students and the education community.
The six honorees are:
- Jeff Norris, NBCT – 6th Grade Math – Oak Mountain Middle School – Alabama
- Cat Walker, NBCT – High School Science – Dimond High School – Alaska
- Louise Smith, NBCT – 7th & 8th Grade Music – Gautier Middle School – Mississippi
- Kimberly Jones, NBCT – High School English – Chapel Hill High School – North Carolina
- Renee Atkinson, NBCT – High School English – Aynor High School – South Carolina
- John Patrick Corbin, NBCT – High School Social Studies – Cody High School – Wyoming
Their selection as CCSSO State Teachers of the Year underscores their commitment to excellence in teaching and leadership, dedication to advancing educational equity, and desire to improve student outcomes. As National Board Certified Teachers, they have demonstrated their commitment to ongoing professional growth and reflective practice, serving as exemplary role models for educators across the nation.
"We are thrilled to see these outstanding NBCTs recognized for their exceptional contributions to education," said Peggy Brookins, NBCT, President and CEO of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. "Their passion for teaching, dedication to their students, and commitment to professional growth exemplify the highest standards of excellence in the teaching profession."
The CCSSO State Teachers of the Year program celebrates educators who demonstrate excellence in teaching and leadership and advocate for positive change in their schools, districts, and communities. These six teachers will have the opportunity to represent their states at the national level and to collaborate with educators from across the country to drive innovation and improvement in education.
You can listen to Kimberly Jones, NBCT, and Jeff Norris, NBCT, on our podcast, National Board Conversations.
Please join us in congratulating these exceptional educators on this well-deserved honor.
For more information about the CCSSO State Teachers of the Year program, visit their website.
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About the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (www.nbpts.org):
The founding mission of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is to advance the quality of teaching and learning by maintaining high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do, providing a national voluntary system certifying teachers who meet these standards, and advocating related education reforms to integrate National Board Certification in American education and to capitalize on the expertise of National Board Certified Teachers. Recognized as the “gold standard” in teacher certification, the National Board believes higher standards for teachers mean better learning for students.