“Many teachers have the desire to continue to teach and also assume leadership positions in a school or district as department chairs, mentors, and by working on other district initiatives. In New Hampshire’s competency model, that should not always and only involve advanced degree work.”
That’s the message shared recently by NEA-New Hampshire member Emily Sherman to the Senate Education Committee. The testimony Emily provided was in support of SB 521, which provides another avenue for teachers and CTE personnel interested in obtaining Master Teacher Certification.
Emily is a STEM teacher at Portsmouth Middle School. Her career has spanned three states, teaching at private and public schools and serving as a curriculum administrator.
She told the Committee, “I have always aggressively pushed to learn more about how to teach effectively, stay up to date on changing science content knowledge and how to engage students in the classroom. I am a teacher leader and I would welcome the opportunity to pursue a Master Teacher Certification in New Hampshire.”
While New Hampshire has had a master teacher certification option since 1998, not a single teacher has held this certification. SB 521, filed by Senator Dan Innis, would change the requirements and permit the state board of education to grant the educational credential of master teacher program to individuals who have fulfilled the following requirements:
- At least seven years of teaching experience
- Demonstrated quality teaching of the professional education standards
- The creation of a portfolio documenting leadership activities that is highly rated.
The purposes of the master teacher credential are to identify and highlight qualified, experienced teachers to serve as resources who contribute to improved student learning, a positive school environment, and increased collaboration.