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Professional Development for Educators

Great Plains Center for National Teacher Certification

Great Plains Center for National Teacher Certification

The Great Plains Center for National Teacher Certification at Emporia State University offers a program of professional development at no cost for teachers in Kansas going through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) assessment process.

National Board Certification is a way for the teaching profession to recognize highly accomplished teaching practice. A certificate awarded by the NBPTS attests that a teacher has been judged by his or her peers as one who meets high and rigorous professional standards. He or she has demonstrated the ability, in a variety of settings, to make sound professional judgments about students' best interests and to act effectively on those judgments.

The Great Plains Center's program, which first began during National Board field testing in 1992-95, continues to grow each year, and to provide improved and expanded assistance, resources, and leadership to recruit and support Kansas teachers through National Board Certification professional development. The program is offered at no cost to Kansas teachers because it is supported by both Board of Regents program enhancement funds and supplemental private funding.

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NBPTS Assessment Process + Due Dates

There are four components to the NBPTS Assessment Process. Each one has a deadline.

Assessment Process + Due Dates
Elementary teacher writing on signs

Statewide Candidate Support

Before, during, and after your journey through the NBPTS process, there are levels of support available to you and that you can become upon achieving your national board certification.

Statewide Candidate Support
Students studying together

Available Certificates

NBPTS offers 25 certificates in seven student-age categories along with development areas and subject areas.

Available Certificates
Graduation hat with the words "Teaching is a work of the heart"

About the GPCNTC

Our program has the support of both the president of NBPTS and the Kansas Board of Regents. It is the only institute in Kansas that has support from both.

About the GPCNTC
IDT Presentations

Core NBPTS Propositions

There are five propositions that make up the scope and depth of what it means to become a National Board Certified Teacher.

Core NBPTS Propositions
Students posing for photo in front of one-room schoolhouse at Emporia State

Graduate Credit Hours

The Great Plains Center awards graduate credit for teachers engaging in the NBCT process and achieving NBCT status. Fees associated with the national board process are separate from any costs assessed for seeking graduate credit.

Graduate Credit Hours
Books on shelves

Resources

Working Wisdom: A Guide to Accomplished Teaching is a product of our center. We provide it here to you in sections for you to select what fits your needs best.

Resources
Emporia State University students posting for photo in front of Plumb Hall

NBCTs in Kansas

Recognized as the gold standard in teacher certification, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards believes higher standards for teachers means better learning for students.

NBCTs in Kansas

Great Plains Center for National Teacher Certification

The Great Plains Center for National Teacher Certification is located on the first floor of Visser Hall on the Emporia State University Campus.

Physical Address:

Great Plains Center for National Teacher Certification
Visser Hall, Office 130C
1701 Morse Road
Emporia, KS

Mailing Address:

Great Plains Center for National Teacher Certification
Emporia State University
1 Kellogg Circle
Campus Box 4036
Emporia, KS 66801

Contact Information:

Alvin Peters
Main Office
Phone: 620-341-6788


Hours of Operation:

Monday -Friday
8 am - 5 pm