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Philbrick achieves nation's highest teaching standard
Teaching excellence in the Auburn School District has taken a major step forward following today's announcement by the
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards that Rebekah Philbrick, band director at Auburn High School, has achieved
National Board Certification in 2009.
Supt. of Schools Kathy Garrett said, "this is really a great accomplishment. Bekah is our first National Board Teacher. I
anticipate that we will have more in the near future because several others have been working toward this goal."
An "extraordinary group," is how U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan referred to this year's class of National Board
Certified Teachers. He said teachers and school counselors who have achieved National Board Certification this year have
"demonstrated a commitment of taking their teaching practice to an entirely different level," adding, "these are amazing leaders."
Philbrick, who has been the instrumental music teacher at Auburn the past four years, spent the first six years of her teaching
career at Palmyra Northwestern.
She is married to Tom Philbrick who has been the music teacher at New Berlin for 11 years. They have two daughters.
Philbrick says her goal is to develop independent musicians, make music exciting and fun and something all can do the rest of
their lives.
She is a Springfield native, graduated from Southeast High School. She earned her music education degree at Millikin, later
adding her master's at UIS.
Philbrick, who plays oboe and bassoon, also plays the viola in a string quartet with her three sisters. She also has played with
the Springfield Municipal Band plus her church Praise Band.
A voluntary assessment program designed to develop, recognize and retain accomplished teachers, National Board
Certification is achieved through a performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. While
state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, NBCT's have successfully demonstrated advanced
teaching knowledge, skills and practices.
"National Board Certification is a growing education reform movement that is reshaping American education," said Joseph A.
Aguerrebere, NBPTS president and chief executive officer. "We are committed to providing school districts like Auburn with
high-quality teachers who have a deep knowledge of content and teaching practices to support diverse learners. I am proud that
Rebekah Philbrick is among the 82,000 teachers throughout the country who have achieved National Board Certification. These
outstanding educators are making a positive difference in the lives of students."
Last year, the highly respected National Research Council of the National Academies found students taught by National Board
Certified Teachers make higher gains on achievement tests than students taught by teachers who have not applied or did not
achieve certification. The study affirmed the "evidence is clear that National Board Certification distinguishes more effective
teachers from less effective teachers with respect to student achievement."
The congressionally mandated report also found that National Board Certification has a positive impact on teacher retention
and professional development.
"Just as doctors and accountants gain professional certification beyond licensure by demonstrating their expertise, National
Board Certified Teachers have met rigorous standards and are among the nation's best," said Aguerrebere.
National Board Certified Teachers consistently receive top teaching honors while representing about two percent of the
nation's teaching population. For example:
Four of the last nine National Teacher of the Year recipients are NBCT's; More than a quarter of the 2009 State Teachers of the
Year are NBCTs and More than one third of the recipients of the 2008 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and
Science Teaching are NBCTs.
National Board Certification is recognized as a model of pay-for-performance and is supported by teachers and administrators
nationwide. All 50 states, the District of Columbia and hundreds of local school districts recognize National Board Certification as
a mark of distinction. Many states and local school districts provide salary incentives and cover the cost for teachers who pursue
and achieve this advanced teaching credential.
Teaching excellence in the Auburn School District has taken a major step forward following today's announcement by the
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards that Rebekah Philbrick, band director at Auburn High School, has achieved
National Board Certification in 2009.
Supt. of Schools Kathy Garrett said, "this is really a great accomplishment. Bekah is our first National Board Teacher. I
anticipate that we will have more in the near future because several others have been working toward this goal."
An "extraordinary group," is how U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan referred to this year's class of National Board
Certified Teachers. He said teachers and school counselors who have achieved National Board Certification this year have
"demonstrated a commitment of taking their teaching practice to an entirely different level," adding, "these are amazing leaders."
Philbrick, who has been the instrumental music teacher at Auburn the past four years, spent the first six years of her teaching
career at Palmyra Northwestern.
She is married to Tom Philbrick who has been the music teacher at New Berlin for 11 years. They have two daughters.
Philbrick says her goal is to develop independent musicians, make music exciting and fun and something all can do the rest of
their lives.
She is a Springfield native, graduated from Southeast High School. She earned her music education degree at Millikin, later
adding her master's at UIS.
Philbrick, who plays oboe and bassoon, also plays the viola in a string quartet with her three sisters. She also has played with
the Springfield Municipal Band plus her church Praise Band.
A voluntary assessment program designed to develop, recognize and retain accomplished teachers, National Board
Certification is achieved through a performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. While
state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, NBCT's have successfully demonstrated advanced
teaching knowledge, skills and practices.
"National Board Certification is a growing education reform movement that is reshaping American education," said Joseph A.
Aguerrebere, NBPTS president and chief executive officer. "We are committed to providing school districts like Auburn with
high-quality teachers who have a deep knowledge of content and teaching practices to support diverse learners. I am proud that
Rebekah Philbrick is among the 82,000 teachers throughout the country who have achieved National Board Certification. These
outstanding educators are making a positive difference in the lives of students."
Last year, the highly respected National Research Council of the National Academies found students taught by National Board
Certified Teachers make higher gains on achievement tests than students taught by teachers who have not applied or did not
achieve certification. The study affirmed the "evidence is clear that National Board Certification distinguishes more effective
teachers from less effective teachers with respect to student achievement."
The congressionally mandated report also found that National Board Certification has a positive impact on teacher retention
and professional development.
"Just as doctors and accountants gain professional certification beyond licensure by demonstrating their expertise, National
Board Certified Teachers have met rigorous standards and are among the nation's best," said Aguerrebere.
National Board Certified Teachers consistently receive top teaching honors while representing about two percent of the
nation's teaching population. For example:
Four of the last nine National Teacher of the Year recipients are NBCT's; More than a quarter of the 2009 State Teachers of the
Year are NBCTs and More than one third of the recipients of the 2008 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and
Science Teaching are NBCTs.
National Board Certification is recognized as a model of pay-for-performance and is supported by teachers and administrators
nationwide. All 50 states, the District of Columbia and hundreds of local school districts recognize National Board Certification as
a mark of distinction. Many states and local school districts provide salary incentives and cover the cost for teachers who pursue
and achieve this advanced teaching credential.
Issue Date: Feb. 4, 2010
