National Board for Professional Teaching Standards President and CEO Ron Thorpe talks with Barbara Hines, a National Board Certified librarian who works at Bowling Green Junior High School, and Lynn Hines, Kentucky's first National Board Certified teacher, following a special recognition ceremony at the Capitol. Photo by Amy Wallot, March 7, 2013

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards President and CEO Ron Thorpe talks with Barbara Hines, a National Board Certified librarian who works at Bowling Green Junior High School, and Lynn Hines, Kentucky’s first National Board Certified teacher, following a special recognition ceremony at the Capitol. Photo by Amy Wallot, March 7, 2013

Gov. Steve Beshear yesterday signed a proclamation declaring March 7, 2013, National Board Certified Teacher Day in Kentucky and recognizing Kentucky’s newest National Board Certified Teachers.

The signing took place in the Capitol Rotunda and was attended by Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Secretary Joseph U. Meyer, Senate Education Committee Chairman Mike Wilson and House Education Chairman Carl Rollins. President of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Dr. Ron Thorpe, also attended the event.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards’ (NBPTS) announcement in January that 268 Kentucky teachers were awarded the prestigious National Board Certification® in the class of 2012. The achievement recognizes these educators among the top in the profession and promises to improve student learning and achievement in classrooms across the state.

Kentucky is ranked 7th in the number of teachers earning National Board Certification in the class of 2012. The top ten states with the highest number of teachers achieving National Board Certification in 2012 were North Carolina, Washington, Illinois, California, Arkansas, South Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, and New York.

Nationally, 4,980 teachers achieved certification. This brings the total certified up to 102,237. Kentucky has made tremendous progress and is ranked 10th overall in the total number of teachers in the U.S having earned National Board Certification.

The Kentucky National Board Certified Teachers, class of 2012, celebrates at the Capitol following a special recognition ceremony. Photo by Amy Wallot, March 7, 2013

The Kentucky National Board Certified Teachers, class of 2012, celebrates at the Capitol following a special recognition ceremony. Photo by Amy Wallot, March 7, 2013

Teachers who have participated in National Board Certification have overwhelmingly stated it is the most powerful professional development experience of their careers.  National Board Certification is open to all educators who have a baccalaureate degree and three years of classroom experience in either a public or private school. In addition to receiving financial support from the Teachers’ National Incentive Trust Fund, administered by the EPSB, Kentucky candidates are often eligible for federal subsidies and