The amount of support and expertise is valuable in getting through the National Board components. I really appreciated the emotional support and helping us to plan out the process.
BENEFITS OF OUR PROGRAM
- A comprehensive professional development program designed to meet candidates’ unique National Board pathways
- A deepened understanding of what social justice and racial justice look and sound like in our classrooms and school communities
- Convenient access to online support sessions from any location
- Weekly office hours for Components 2, 3, and 4 cohort candidates
- Optional in-person writing retreats at UCLA for Components 2, 3, and 4 cohort candidates
California offers a $2,500 subsidy for candidates at high-priority schools qualifying for Board Certification. This subsidy is intended to cover NBPTS fees.
Once you are National Board Certified, teachers at high-priority schools can receive an extra $5,000 per year as an incentive.
National Board Certification is a way for California prepared teachers to clear their credential.
CTA offers support programs for National Board candidates, including a fully-funded BIPOC cohort.
All support cohorts meet online.
COMPONENT 4 SUPPORT
Four Saturdays
September 13, 2025; January 10, March 21, May 2, 2026
8:30AM – 12:30PM online
March 28, 2026 – Optional in-person writing retreat at UCLA from 9-3
Includes access to weekly office hours, mid-September to mid-June
Plan for ways to gather information about students and use assessments to positively impact student learning. Collaborate on supporting colleagues, families, and the community to advance student growth. Reflect on how you advocate for students and your own learning. This is a cohort model of educators working together towards the successful completion of Component 4.
Fee: $399*
COMPONENT 3 SUPPORT
Four Saturdays
October 4, December 13, 2025; February 21, April 25, 2026
8:30AM – 12:30PM online
February 7, 2026 – Optional in-person writing retreat at UCLA from 9-3
Includes access to weekly office hours, mid-October to mid-June
Deconstruct the requirements for Component 3, plan for video collection and selection, and practice writing about teaching and learning in explicit ways. This is a cohort model and participants work together through the process of successful completion of Component 3.
Fee: $399*
COMPONENT 2 SUPPORT
Four Saturdays
November 1, December 6, 2025; January 31, April 11, 2026
8:30AM – 12:30PM online
January 17, 2026 – Optional in-person writing retreat at UCLA from 9-3
Includes access to weekly office hours, mid-November to mid-June
Analyze the requirements for Component 2, explore ways to learn about students, plan for data collection and selection, and consider the best ways to communicate your learning about differentiating for student success. This is a cohort model and participants work together through the process of successful completion of Component 2.
Fee: $399*
COMPONENT 1 SUPPORT
One Saturday
March 14, 2026
8:30AM – 12:30PM online
Collaborate with other teachers to explore the possibilities for preparation for the assessment. Engage in practice sessions, pool your collective resources, and consider test-taking strategies from other candidates.
Fee: $199*
MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION
Four Saturdays: November 22, 2025; January 10, March 14, April 25, 2026
9:00 am to 12:00 pm online
Includes access to weekly office hours, mid-December to mid-May
These sessions are designed for NBCTs and intended to support the development of Components 1 and 2 for Maintenance of Certification. Each session is a live, synchronous event with a facilitator and curriculum that guides participants through a process of reflection, dialogue, and planning. By experiencing Maintenance of Certification (MOC) with like-minded colleagues, NBCTs can further live Core Proposition 5 and enrich their learning experience.
Fee: $399*
INDIVIDUAL ONE-ON-ONE TIME
Four hours of personalized support with a Certified Learning Facilitator
Read these recommendations about one-to-one support.
Fee: $399
*Please register for all events at least 48 hours prior to the first meeting. All refunds will be charged 15% Admin fee. No refunds will be issued five business days prior to the first meeting day. UCLA Extension credits available at an additional cost.
*Please register at least 48 hours prior to the first meeting. All refunds will be charged 15% Admin fee. No refunds will be issued five business days prior to the first meeting day. UCLA Extension credits available at an additional cost.
UCLA Candidate Support Providers
Please click on their photo to see their bio.
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
Michael Leimbek
Mike earned his BFA in theatre from the College of Santa Fe. When being a starving actor in Los Angeles lost its appeal, Mike enrolled in UCLA’s Extension program to earn an Ed Specialist Credential and began working in South Central/Watts. Upon moving to Environmental Charter School in Inglewood, he began teaching in a self-contained classroom (SDC) and eventually added an Extensive Needs authorization to his credential. In 2019-2020, Mike participated in UCLA’s National Board Project as a candidate and achieved National Board certification in December 2020. He stayed close to the program, working as a 1:1 support provider and began working more extensively in a support facilitator role. During the spring, Mike serves as an assistant baseball coach for the organization’s high school baseball team. Mike continues to remain passionate about creating meaningful inclusive experiences for all students and is grateful to remain engaged with low-income communities of color to prepare conscious, critical thinkers. On the off-chance there is a free moment, it’s generally spent at the gym lifting weights or swimming and/or watching reruns of Top Chef, Great British Baking Show, or Star Trek.
Michael Leimbek, NBCT
Courtney Magala
Courtney Magala has taught secondary English in South Los Angeles for 10 years. She earned a BA in English literature from La Sierra University and a M.Ed from UCLA. In addition to taking on teacher-leadership roles during her teaching career, she became a National Board candidate in 2024 and is eagerly awaiting the results of her submissions. Courtney is passionate about building classroom relationships and encouraging students to be advocates for their education and their communities.
Courtney Magala, Candidate Support Provider
Mary Littlepage
Mary Littlepage is a Learning Facilitator for the UCLA NBPTS Project. This year she is also hosting the MOC cohort sessions for National Board Certified teachers who are working toward Maintenance of Certification. Mary became a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in 2018, and she has enthusiastically supported aspiring candidates since then! She holds a BA in Elementary Education from Moody Bible Institute, a masters degree in Research Methods in Education from the University of Kentucky, is currently a third year doctoral candidate in Education Sciences at the University of Kentucky. She started her career as a kindergarten teacher in Chinatown, Chicago, and spent the next 13 years teaching kindergarten and second grade at a private school in the greater Los Angeles area. In addition to her responsibilities as a doctoral student and Learning Facilitator, she works as an independent consultant with a reading program where she has the opportunity to train and support teachers throughout the United States as they promote literacy in their own classrooms.
Mary Littlepage, NBCT
Laura Ruiz
Laura Ruiz is a Learning Facilitator and Assistant to the Director for the UCLA NBPTS Project. This year she is also supporting the Summer Institute & the Component 4 Saturday sessions for teachers who are working towards Certification. Laura became a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in 2022, and began one-on-one Teacher Facilitation in 2023. She holds a BA in Biology and Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz, a masters degree in Forest Science From Yale University, School of the Environment, and received her Single Subject Teaching credential in Biological Sciences from Cal State University of Long Beach in 2005. She has taught all types of science including AP Bio, Environmental Science and most recently 8th Grade science, in the greater Los Angeles area since 2005. In addition to her responsibilities at the UCLA NBPTS Project, she works as a reader for Pearson, scoring Science CalTPA exams and NBCT components. She also works as a data reviewer of the California Science Test (CAST) results for the Sacramento Office of Education and ETS. Laura finds her work with Teachers seeking National Board certification to be extremely inspiring.
Laura Ruiz, NBCT