Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, Toni Rose Deanon is joined by Eddie Santiago from NBCT to explore the profound impact of achieving National Board Certification (NBCT) for teachers.

They emphasize the importance of leaning into the community, asking for help, and embracing a collaborative approach to learning and teaching.

Here are three key takeaways from this podcast episode:

• Community and Collaboration: Both Toni Rose and Eddie stress the significance of community support and collaboration. Sharing one's work, seeking feedback, and finding a teacher ally are essential components of growth and development. Toni Rose shares, "I think sometimes it's really scary to have folks read our work and then be critiqued. But I think, again, this is part of our learning curve and learning process."

• Significance of NBCT: National Board Certification signifies expertise in educational matters, offering teachers opportunities to participate in elevated conversations that affect schools and the teaching profession. It provides comfort to parents and builds trust, indicating that their child is in capable hands. Eddie adds, “Becoming an NBCT signifies that you're an expert in educational matters, especially in your classroom."

• Diversity of NBCTs: NBCTs come from various backgrounds and positions within the education field. They highlight that the path to NBCT status is not restricted to classroom teachers and can be a valuable credential for educators in different roles.

The conversation resonates with the goal of making National Board Certification the norm rather than the exception, ensuring every student receives the best possible education and increasing trust in the teaching profession. It encourages a vision of educators who continually seek growth and learning, fostering collaboration and community engagement.

Discussion questions for PLC and PD: 

• How can educators actively embrace a culture of community and collaboration in their teaching practices, and what benefits might they reap from leaning into their professional communities?

• The conversation highlights the importance of National Board Certification (NBCT) in signifying expertise in education. How can NBCTs effectively communicate the significance of this credential to parents and the broader community to build trust and instill confidence in their teaching abilities?

• The summary suggests that achieving NBCT status should become the norm in education. What steps can educational institutions, policymakers, and educators themselves take to make this a reality and ensure that every student has access to the best possible teachers in the classroom?

Our Host

Toni Rose taught MS English for 10 years and will forever identify as a teacher. Toni Rose strives to be the teacher that she never had growing up, so she focuses on anti-bias, anti-racist work and wants to create a brave space for everyone around her. As a queer Filipinx, she understands just how important it is to be represented, be valued, and belong. She especially loves being a thought partner for and celebrating teachers.

Our Guest: Eddie Santiago

• Connect with our guest on Twitter @eddistotle

• Learn more about becoming a NBCT

If you like what you hear in this episode, share it with a friend or subscribe to get updates when new podcasts are published.