The Schools Foundation awards funding for National Board Certification scholarships in local schools systems
HUNTSVILLE – The Schools Foundation (TSF) presented more than $54,000 to the Huntsville City, Madison City and Madison County School systems to help local teachers obtain National Board Certification.
The check presentations took place at TSF’s annual superintendent reception honoring the three local school superintendents at the home of architect Frank Nola and sponsored by Project XYZ. At the reception, TSF Executive Director Elizabeth Fleming, presented Christie Finley of Huntsville City Schools, Robby Parker of Madison City Schools and Matt Massey of Madison County Schools each a check for $18,255. This funding is a targeted investment in increasing the number of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) across the three local public school systems. Each of the local school systems have made increasing the number of NBCTs in their systems a priority.
National Board Certification provides teachers with rigorous, high quality professional development that culminates in certification that carries a high level of national respect and prestige. Through National Board Certification, teachers demonstrate that their teaching meets the profession’s standards for accomplished practice through a rigorous, peer reviewed and performance-based process, similar to professional certification in fields such as medicine. In achieving NBCT, teachers prove their ability to advance student learning and achievement.
TSF Board President Taze Shepard noted that that there has been enormous community support for this initiative with funding from numerous contributors including the TSF Endowment, The Daniel Foundation, National Space Club, corporate supporters and individuals.
“We believe in our teachers and are excited to help more teachers meet their goal of earning National Board Certification,” he said. “Additionally, the state of Alabama provides a $5,000 stipend to each teacher who achieves national board certification with teachers at some at-risk schools receiving up to $10,000.”
“The Schools Foundation’s mission is to be a driving force for excellence in education and supporting national board certification is one way we do this,” said TSF Elizabeth Dotts Fleming. “This investment provides our teachers opportunities to fine-tune their professional teaching expertise. Research shows that students taught by NBCT learn more than students taught by non-nationally board certified teachers. The positive impact of having a NBCT is even greater for minority and low income students.”
ABOUT The Schools Foundation:
The Schools Foundation (TSF) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit education foundation in Huntsville that supports all three public school systems TSF supports a variety of programs including student scholarships, teacher grants, staff development, technology deployment, and other programs that directly benefit students and enhance educational opportunities.
More at www.theschoolsfoundation.org
