The UCLA NBPTS did exactly what we learned we need to do in the classroom. That practice was to provide small steps to accomplish the large goal of meeting all the requirements. The small step by step planning focused on success that would provide the end result of passing all the components in the NBPTS. The leaders were very knowledgeable, prepared, kind, and welcoming in all ways. This is a wonderful program.
The National Education Association (NEA), the California Teachers Association (CTA), the UCLA National Board Project, and the National Board Resource Center at Stanford (NBRC) are partnering to hold fully-funded cohorts of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) teachers committed to earning National Board Certification and serving as teacher-leaders in their communities. The program centers and uplifts educators who identify as BIPOC, while participants of all backgrounds who support this mission can apply.
This program is not accepting new applications.
UCLA NBPTS BIPOC Cohort 2
Certification Support Services include:
- Regular online community-building, mentoring, and support facilitated by National Board Certified teachers
- Online certification support group, including regular opportunities to work with a group of educators and a National Board Certified facilitator in your content area and grade span.
- Asynchronous materials and resources designed specifically for candidates
- Individualized coaching on writing and artifact selection for the National Board portfolio components
UCLA Candidate Support Providers
Please click on their photos to see their bios.
Aschlyee Braswell
Aschlyee Braswell is a facilitator for the UCLA NBPTS Project and the CTA and NEA sponsored BIPOC cohort of the NBPTS Project. She holds a BA in Social Welfare with a minor in Education from UC Berkeley, an MEd in Teacher Leadership from California Lutheran University, a bilingual authorization in Spanish, and has held National Board Certification since 2017. She has taught in both California and New York with a focus in the primary grades and is currently teaching kindergarten in a Dual Language Immersion setting. In addition to her classroom work, she mentors teachers and collaborates at the district level to support literacy instruction and integration of new curriculum into the school sites. Aschlyee is passionate about creating meaningful lessons that meet the needs of her diverse students and supporting and empowering educators to help their students become lifelong learners.
Aschlyee Braswell, NBCT
Tritia Brown
Tritia Brown is a National Board Certified Teacher (Exceptional Needs Specialist, 2024) with a Master of Science in Special Education. Since 2005, she has served as a Resource Specialist in the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), currently supporting students in grades K–5 at Whittier Elementary School. Dedicated to fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments, Tritia mentors early-career educators both at her school and across the district. Her mentorship focuses on enhancing teachers’ understanding of curriculum and guiding them in developing legally compliant, student-centered Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Starting in the fall, Tritia will also support National Board Certification candidates through the CTA/NEA/UCLA BIPOC Cohorts, helping to elevate diverse voices within the teaching profession. As a passionate advocate for public education, she firmly believes in the principle that “All means All” and is committed to ensuring every student has meaningful access to a free and appropriate public education.
Tritia Brown, NBCT
Kassandra Fitz-Dormer
Kassandra is a Special Education teacher serving students with mild to moderate exceptionalities in the Los Angeles Unified School District. For the past 26 years, she has dedicated her career to John Muir Middle School, teaching English Language Arts to grades 6–8 and working passionately alongside colleagues to meet the diverse needs of students. She is deeply committed to giving back to the school community by supporting individuals who are inspired to make a difference for the most vulnerable student populations in high-needs schools.
In addition to classroom responsibilities, Kassandra serves as a mentor teacher for student teachers, provides instructional support to educators earning their credentials, and assists colleagues in completing the California Teacher Performance Assessments. Over the years, she has taught generations of students and helped plan activities that build joy and connection on campus, including pep rallies, competitive games, and talent shows. As a member of the Instructional Leadership Team and Testing Coordinator, Kassandra focuses on ensuring every student who culminates from Muir Middle is fully prepared for the next chapter of their education.
Kassandra Fitz-Dormer, NBCT
Griselda Lepe
Griselda Lepe has over 20 years of elementary classroom experience in the 2nd largest school district in the U.S. As a first-generation Mexican-American farmworker, Griselda has a deep pride in her heritage that accompanies her professional and academic accomplishments. Griselda joined the UCLA National Board Project and immersed herself in what she describes as a transformative experience in instructional pedagogy. Griselda values connecting with students and families from different backgrounds and attributes the refinement and development of her teaching craft to the experiences gained being part of UCLA Center X. One of Griselda’s most enriching professional endeavors is her role as a National Board BIPOC facilitator because of the impact this process has on students and schools. Griselda strongly believes that supporting National Board Candidates with a similar story as hers enhances the diversity of National Board Certified Teachers and empowers BIPOC Teachers to serve their communities proudly. Griselda embraces a collaborative spirit and invites creativity in teaching and the support she provides to all candidates. Griselda currently resides in Los Angeles and has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Fresno State. Griselda obtained a Master’s Degree from CSUN in Educational Leadership Studies and became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2020.
Griselda Lepe, NBCT
Rosemary Lejano
With 24 years with the Buena Park School District, Rosemary’s classroom teaching experience spans grades K-5. However, it is her profound love of reading and professional drive to strengthen students’ literacy development that has led her to her current role as a Tier 3 Reading Intervention teacher for students in Grades 3-5. Dedicated to empowering families to actively support literacy at home, Rosemary developed and facilitated a series of parent education workshops targeting foundational reading skills. Her drive to continuously grow as an educator guided her to begin her journey to pursue National Board certification. With the support of the UCLA BIPOC facilitators and cohort, Rosemary certified in 2024 in the area of Literacy: Reading-Language Arts for Early and Middle Childhood. Rosemary holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Reading, both from California State University, Fullerton.
Rosemary Lejano, NBCT
Cofley Moore
Cofley Moore serves as a secondary math classroom teacher with more than 10 years of experience. As a passionate teacher, he focuses on making difficult topics simple as he encourages minority students to take calculus. In addition to his classroom duties, he has worked to inspire young students with the Jaime Escalante Program. Cofley holds a bachelor’s in mathematics, MEd in teaching, and is National Board Certified in mathematics.
Cofley Moore, NBCT