The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) has developed standards of what constitutes quality teaching in every subject and grade level. National Board Certification measures a teacher's practice against these high and rigorous standards. It is a performance-based assessment process that includes a teaching portfolio, student work samples, videotapes, and assessments of content knowledge. Ninety-three percent of candidates-both successful and unsuccessful-say that the board certification process has made them better teachers. Early studies have shown that board-certified teachers are more capable.

The author is a board certified teacher who has successfully led dozens of teachers through the certification process. The certification process is time-consuming and difficult, and Hopkins years' of experience with the pitfalls and obstacles will help teachers avoid the "If I'd only known" syndrome. Full of insider's advice on time management and planning tips, the book contains numerous worksheets to take teachers through each and every step of the certification process to ensure that no deadlines are missed and that they meet all the requirements for applications, the portfolio, and the content assessments. The book is arranged around the five core propositions of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and contains the voices and examples of teachers who have already completed the process.