The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has announced Oak Park Elementary School District 97 as one of 11 school districts nationwide to have been named National Board Accomplished Districts for their investment of resources to support advancing quality teaching through National Board Certification.

“Oak Park has taken extraordinary steps to impact student learning through National Board certification. Their commitment – through financial resources and dedication to creative programming -is having an impact on teachers and students and I’m proud to recognize that work,” said Peggy Brookins, a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) and the president and CEO of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. “When teachers achieve high standards, they impact their students and communities across the country,” added Brookins.

Oak Park has seen significant growth in the number of teachers pursuing National Board-certification since it introduced a $10,000 annual recognition for NBCTs. The district not only has several groups of teachers working together to achieve Board certification, but the superintendent also plans to highlight the district’s work to help teachers through the Board certification process at an upcoming American Association of School Administrators conference.

Oak Park will be recognized with an award for the district office and unique celebrations for their NBCTs. To read the announcement from National Board, see https://www.nbpts.org/newsroom/national-board-recognizes-11-districts-for-commitment-to-accomplished-teaching.