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Coal City Early Childhood Center educators Angie Phillips and Tricia Togliatti have renewed their National Board Certification, joining a select group of teachers recognized by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The certification aims to enhance teaching quality through standards that focus on what teachers should know and achieve in classrooms.
Phillips and Togliatti initially earned this designation in 2019. In December 2024, they successfully completed the maintenance of certification process, extending their status for another five years. "I wanted to become a national board certified teacher to sharpen my skills as an educator and improve my teaching," said Phillips. She added that the process has helped her reflect on her instruction and understand her students better.
The certification involves a multi-year performance-based assessment where teachers evaluate their classroom practices and impact on student learning. The renewal requires selecting two professional growth experiences. Teachers must provide written commentary on these experiences' effects on teaching and student development, along with a recorded video clip showcasing evidence of student learning.
Togliatti noted that while the renewal was shorter than the initial process, it was equally demanding. She found recertification timely due to her recent completion of LETRS training, allowing her to demonstrate high standards in reading science practice.
Both educators received support from mentors at Illinois State University's National Board Resource Center during their recertification journey. Togliatti has been teaching for 27 years, mostly within Coal City School District, while Phillips has 24 years of experience in education.
Research indicates that board-certified teachers outperform peers in subject knowledge and lesson engagement. Phillips and Togliatti thanked the superintendent and Board of Education for supporting the program with incentives during both initial certification and renewal processes.
Since its inception in 1987, over 137,000 educators nationwide have achieved NBCT status according to NBPTS data. In Coal City School District alone, 16 teachers have earned this distinction over the past quarter-century.
On January 8th, Phillips and Togliatti were acknowledged by the Board of Education for their achievement.
