10/05/2026
NBC teacher Ms. Jennifer Carey shares her journey! Read all about it!
I decided to pursue National Board Certification because, after 18 years in the classroom, I wanted to challenge myself and continue growing as a teacher. I had a lot of experience, but I never wanted to get to a point where I felt like I had teaching all figured out. I wanted to really stop and look at my practice—why I make the decisions I make, how those decisions affect my students, and what I could do better.
I also wanted to recognize the things I was doing well while being honest with myself about the areas where I could still grow. The National Board process gave me the opportunity to slow down and really think about my teaching in a way that I don't always have time to do during a busy school year. I wanted to become a more thoughtful, intentional teacher and make sure I was giving my students the best instruction I could.
The biggest challenge was finding the time and mental energy to do everything. Teaching is already a full-time job, and then there is National Board on top of that—while still trying to be present for my family at home. I had to collect evidence, analyze student work, think about my instructional decisions, and explain not just what I was doing, but why I was doing it. There were definitely times when I wondered, "What did I get myself into?" I learned pretty quickly that I couldn't think about the entire process all at once. I had to break it down into smaller pieces and just keep moving forward. I set small goals, worked consistently, asked questions when I needed help, and reminded myself why I had started. There were plenty of long nights, but I kept telling myself that I didn't have to do everything today. That experience taught me a lot about perseverance. Sometimes you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and trust that you'll get there.
I learned that I am much more reflective about my teaching than I realized. I have always cared deeply about my students and wanted them to be successful, but National Board made me really slow down and examine the decisions I make every day. I realized that I don't just teach a lesson and move on. I'm constantly watching my students, noticing their responses, looking at their work, and thinking, "What do they need from me next?" If something isn't working, I'm willing to change it. I also learned that being an experienced teacher doesn't mean you have all the answers. If anything, experience has taught me that there is always more to learn. I think that's one of the biggest things I took away from the process: good teaching requires you to be willing to keep learning, too.
Becoming an NBCT has made me more intentional about my teaching. I think more carefully about how I'm connecting instruction to what my students actually need and how I'm using assessment to guide my next steps. It has also given me more confidence as a teacher leader. I've become more comfortable sharing ideas, collaborating with colleagues, talking about instructional practices, and supporting other teachers. My work with literacy, intervention, data, and professional learning has given me opportunities to take what I learned through National Board and use it beyond just my own classroom. But ultimately, I think the biggest impact is on my students. The process reinforced something I already believed but now think about even more intentionally: every instructional decision should come back to the students. I find myself asking, "How is this helping my students learn? What do they need from me? And what can I do differently if they aren't getting it?"
My biggest advice would be: Don't let the size of the process scare you away. When you first look at everything that's involved, it can feel overwhelming. It definitely did for me. But you don't have to do it all at once. Break it into smaller pieces, stay organized, and just keep making progress. National Board isn't about proving that you're a perfect teacher. None of us are. It's about showing that you know your students, that you understand your teaching, that you're willing to reflect, and that you're willing to make changes when something isn't working. And give yourself grace. There will be days when you feel like you're doing great and days when you wonder if you are ever going to finish. That's normal.
Most importantly, remember why you started. For me, it was about becoming a better teacher for my students and continuing to grow in a profession that I genuinely care about. Looking back, I'm really proud that I pushed myself to do it. It was hard, but it reminded me that even after 18 years in the classroom, I can still challenge myself, learn something new, and become a better teacher.
Thank you, Ms. Carey, for sharing your story on your journey to become a National Board Certified Teacher.
Are you interested in starting your NBC journey? Please reach out to SCPS Human Resources for more information.
