The power of professional recognition

This article presents a case study of one teacher undertaking professional certification with the US National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). It describes what the teacher had to do for certification and illustrates how the certification process can be a powerful strategy for involving all teachers in high quality professional development that leads to improvements in student learning. The study illustrates how the power of professional recognition depends on standards and assessment methods that teachers regard as valid, challenging and professionally acceptable. It also shows how recognition can empower teachers and widen their involvement in professional leadership activities. For these reasons, the article argues that the introduction of a national certification system is a highly relevant strategy for tackling the crisis in the teaching profession identified in A Class Act, the report of the Senate Inquiry into the Status of the Teaching Profession.