Harding University is hosting a National Board Certified Teacher Leadership Institute with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and the Arkansas Teachers for National Board Certification on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Heifer Village in Little Rock, Arkansas.

This event is designed to share information with teachers and administrators and build skills and knowledge for educators in teacher leadership and advocacy. Dr. Clara Carroll, associate dean of Harding’s Cannon-Clary College of Education and National Board Certified teacher, has been working since June to plan the event.

“Of the more than 100,000 National Board Certified Teachers, there are 2,778 Arkansas National Board Certified Teachers,” Carroll said. “National Board Certified Teachers are recognized as the gold standard in teacher certification, where the National Board believes higher standards for teachers means better learning for students.”

Speakers for the event include Arkansas Department of Education Commissioner Johnny Key, Sen. Joyce Elliott, Fort Smith Superintendent Benny Gooden, and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Interim President and CEO Peggy Brookins. Dr. Donny Lee, dean of the University’s College of Education, will also moderate a panel discussion on leadership.