Staff Reports | Community Updates
Scottsdale Unified School District has been named a National Board District of Distinction by the Arizona K12 Center, recognizing the district’s support for educators pursuing National Board Certification.
The designation reflects the district’s investment in teacher development and instructional quality. The district employs 79 National Board Certified Teachers, the highest total of any school district in Arizona, according to a press release.
National Board Certification is a voluntary, multi-year process that requires educators to analyze their classroom practice, demonstrate student impact and meet nationally recognized professional teaching standards. Only a small percentage of teachers nationwide pursue the certification, and fewer complete the process.
“The National Board Certified Program in Scottsdale Unified has been strong for so long,” said Susan Leonard, lead National Board Certified Teacher for Scottsdale Unified School District and facilitator for National Board candidates with the Arizona K12 Center. “We have the most NBCTs in any district in the state of Arizona right now, which is something that we’re very proud of.”
District officials say structured mentoring and ongoing professional support contribute to continued participation in the certification process and encourage collaboration among educators.
“As a district, we have been a supportive organization for a long time, and to have so many National Board Certified teachers really allows SUSD to stand out,” Dr. Scott Menzel, superintendent of Scottsdale Unified School District, said. “Families can feel confident sending their students to receive high-quality instruction from some of the very best teachers in the profession.”
The District of Distinction designation highlights school systems where advanced teaching credentials are more prevalent and instructional practices align with national professional standards.
The recognition places Scottsdale Unified among a limited number of districts nationwide identified by the Arizona K12 Center for sustained engagement and success in the National Board Certification process.
