Exploring the Impact of National Board Certification on Urban Educational Leadership
I am thrilled that our proposal, "Enhancing Urban Educational Leadership: The Impact of National Board Certification," was accepted for presentation at the 2024 International Conference on Urban Education (ICUE) in Cancun, Mexico. This prestigious conference, held from November 6 - November 9, 2024, brought together educators and leaders dedicated to transforming urban schools through innovative, solution-based approaches. It was an honor to contribute to this dynamic program alongside my esteemed colleagues: Dr. Rainya Miller, NBCT, Talitha Simeona-Stewart, NBCT, and Andrea Burrell, NBCT.
Our session, addressing the strands of Educational Policy and Leadership and Social Justice and Advocacy, was an inspiring opportunity to share insights on the transformative role of National Board Certification in shaping educational leadership. We highlighted how the certification process equips educators with advanced skills, reflective practices, and a focus on student-centered learning, enabling National Board Certified Teachers to foster innovation, guide professional development, and drive student achievement. By showcasing leadership activities like collaborative planning, peer mentoring, and advocacy, we demonstrated how our school system leverages National Board Certified Teachers’ expertise to advance and develop equitable instruction. We also shared how National Board Certification aligns with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future goals, creating meaningful and lasting change in education for students and teachers in Maryland.
Through data, case studies, and interactive discussions, we underscored the measurable influence of NBCT leadership on student outcomes. It was inspiring to engage with educators committed to fostering equity and excellence and to share our successes to encourage other districts to harness the transformative potential of NBCTs.
We were not alone in our session. We had the honor of presenting with two other fantastic groups. One, "BOLD Is A Choice: The Power of Affinity," presented by Damon Qualls, Edward Anderson Ed.D., and Farrell Thomas, explored the transformative role of leadership networks and affinity spaces in promoting educational equity. The other presenters were Dr. Margarita Bianco and Dr. Madhavi Tandon, who delivered the session "Developing a Diverse and Community Responsive Teacher Workforce through GYO Programs." Their presentation highlighted innovative strategies for building a teacher workforce that reflects and addresses the needs of diverse communities.
Sharing the stage with these passionate and visionary educators enriched the experience. (Read more about both in my blog post, Transforming Urban Education: Leadership, Equity, and Advocacy at the 2024 ICUE.) Together, the presenters in Sessions 3B sparked important conversations on leadership, equity, and advocacy in urban education, leaving the room inspired and motivated to continue this vital work. The 2024 ICUE reaffirmed the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving meaningful change, and I am grateful to have been a part of such a transformative event.
