A National Board Network Affiliate

A Collaboration of UTLA & LAUSD since 1997

TSN Facilitators

Teacher Created Professional Development Gets Results

The Support Network® is an award winning, nationally recognized non-profit Candidate Support Provider (CSP) organization that provides a comprehensive program of professional practice support for National Board Certification, including a curriculum created and facilitated by National Board Certified Teachers.

NBC Process - Free Workshop
Renewals - Free Workshop

Our Program

  • Mission icon

    Our Mission

    The Support Network is dedicated to providing assistance to National Board candidates as they engage in the certification process.

    Using our network model, accomplished teachers work with one another to demonstrate their practice is aligned with the NBPTS standards.

    Within the Network, we model the process of continuously analyzing and reflecting in order to improve our educational programs.

  • Offerings icon

    Offerings for first-time candidates, retake candidates, & renewal candidates

    • A curriculum created and presented by National Board Certified Teachers

    • Pre-candidacy/orientations in the spring, summer & fall of each year

    • 8 hours of NBCT facilitated Mock Assessment Center Exercise Simulations

    • 12 hours of NBCT facilitated Professional Practice Seminars for portfolio preparation

    • 30 hours of NBCT facilitated Study Groups in certificate/certificate alike areas

    • 50 hours of NBCT facilitated support in Cross Study Group, Drop-in Sessions & Workshops

    • Weekly, NBCT On-line Support

    • TSN Trained & Certified CSP Facilitators with On-going Training throughout the year

    • Research-based protocols

  • Future icon

    Opportunities & Incentives

    The Support Network participants are eligible for Salary Points!

    Leadership Opportunities are available for presenters & facilitators

    Monetary Incentives in LAUSD:
    Our UTLA & LAUSD Collective Bargaining Agreement provides:

    “a 15% increase in compensation above their base rate.”

    (Each qualified employee in permanent or probationary status shall receive compensation at their daily rate for actually working a number of additional days/hours equal to 7 ⅟₂% of their work year (92 hours) and shall also receive a differential of 7 ⅟₂% per year. Teachers must work in the classroom for a minimum of 60% of the day.)

    Article XIV, Section 37.0

  • Contact icon

    Contact

    For more information, contact Michael de la Torre, NBCT, Program Coordinator:

    mdelatorre@thesupportnetwork.net

    3303 Wilshire Boulevard, 10th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90010, Phone: (213) 251-1444

What National Board Certified Teachers Say About The Support Network

  • “The professional development model used by TSN is the model that should be used for all staff development in our schools. There is no doubt in my mind that the support of my study group was the single most important factor in achieving my certification.”

    Mike Albert, NBCT

  • “The Support Network provides a collaborative environment where you can hash out details, get answers & confirmations and, best of all, improve your daily practice. TSN is one of those rare things that works the way it should. Well worth the investment of time, money and effort for the serious candidate.”

    Lisa Alva, NBCT

  • “Joining The Support Network was one of my best decisions ever. The warm, supportive, you-can-do-it cheerleading we all got and the perceptive feedback I got from my group are two big reasons I achieved National Board Certification. I cannot say enough good things about The Support Network.”

    Cheryl Read, NBCT

FAQs

What is National Board Certification?

National Board Certification is a voluntary, high-stakes assessment designed to recognize and reward accomplished teachers. It is one of the profession's highest distinctions.

The process involves written portfolios and assessments that probe the depth of a candidate's content knowledge and pedagogy. Like board certified physicians and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met the rigorous standards through intensive study,expert evaluation, self-assessment, and peer review.

Candidates can certify in anywhere from one to five years.

LAUSD’s Zoom Recording Guidelines & Release Forms for Teachers

Read the Current Guidance from LAUSD for recording lessons as a part of the National Board Certification process, and download LAUSD's ZOOM Release Forms for Teachers.

Salary Points vs Credits:

LAUSD does not accept ACE credit university transcripts that are offered by NBPTS. However, The Support Network participants ARE eligible for Salary Points!

Why Join The Support Network?

To help teachers through the certification process, many candidates join The Support Network, a collaborative UTLA-LAUSD program that offers facilitated workshops and peer support.

Based on the most recent data, teachers who participated in The Support Network were twice as likely to certify than teachers who pursued on their own.

Read Harvard's Strategic Data Project findings on LAUSD's National Board Certified Teachers

Are you interested in being a Facilitator for The Support Network??

Reach out to us for more information. Join a community of NBC colleagues who are supporting and inspiring our NBCs by filling out this short application.