Using the expertise of trained Professional Learning Facilitators, the teachers are lead toward the highest standards of teaching and leadership along their path of professional growth.

National Board Certification was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. It is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education. Created by teachers, for teachers, the National Board Standards represent a consensus among educators about what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do.

The TST BOCES National Board Candidate Support COSER provides exclusive access to a variety of learning opportunities and individualized support locally. The complexity and rigor of the National Board process are intense. With these supports, participants will find the path to NB certification more manageable and will be more likely to achieve.

Supporting teachers through this COSER allows the expense of subsitutes, conferences or workshops to be aidable through BOCES. Additionally, for candidates who receive the Shanker Grant, districts will be supported to apply for the $500/candidate of grant funding.

To learn more about National Board Certification visit nbpts.org

Laura was born and raised in upstate NY near Keuka Lake.  As she finished her BA in Deaf Studies from the University of Rochester, she realized she wanted to teach and pursued alternative certification in Texas' Rio Grande Valley.  In 1998, she came home to NY and was hired by the Turning Point Program of Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES as a special education teacher for middle school students whose emotional and behavioral difficulties made being in a less restrictive placement challenging.  She transitioned to an elementary position in the same program and then to TST's first Instructional Coach position.  Across her career, Laura strives to foster a culture of collaboration and support as a teacher leader and as Teachers Association President. She has facilitated the early district approach to APPR mandates through a “Don’t Panic” handbook and recently through the creation of a pilot program to guide APPR revisions. In 2011, she joined the NBC ranks as an Exceptional Needs Specialist.  Laura is passionate about ensuring that teacher voices are heard in district, regional and state-wide discussions.

Maria Fenton achieved National Board Certification in World Languages, and is currently an Adjunct Professor of Spanish. She brings over 20 years of teaching and mentoring experience to the NBCNY team. Born and raised in Europe, Maria is a graduate of Paris-Sorbonne University and speaks five languages fluently. In the States, she received education degrees from Wells College and SUNY Cortland. She is the Co-Regional Coordinator of Eastern Upstate. Maria facilitates National Board Certification Candidate Cohorts and works diligently with Candidate Support Providers in the Region. She is passionate about National Board Certification, knowing that it is the highest mark of professional accomplishment for educators; and that its process is such a continuous journey of leadership, learning and collaboration which brings amazing impact on student achievement! As she works with hundreds of colleagues, Maria is deeply inspired by their dedication to their students, and their commitment to excellence!