The Maine Education Association and the National Board Certified Teachers of Maine recently advocated for and helped pass a bill in the Maine Legislature that will increase the stipend for NBCT from $3,000 to $5,000 for National Board Certified Teachers who serve in high needs schools.
High needs schools are defined as those where 50% or more students receive free or reduced lunch. LD1549 goes into effect in the 2020-21 school year. MEA encourages all teachers to think about becoming National Board Certified, but if you’re working in a high needs school, now would be a great time to start.
The MEA can help you get there. The Association offers FREE candidate support sessions for members throughout the school year. Registration will open in September.
Teachers should check with their superintendent to determine if they qualify for the additional stipend. New NBCTs need to be sure that their superintendent is aware that they have earned their certification. They should also check with their superintendent to determine if their schools qualify for the additional stipend and if that has been reported to the state.
Check out our professional development webpage at www.maineea.org for updates and to see what other professional opportunities MEA has to offer. If you have questions regarding the stipend increase, please contact MEA’s Training and Professional Development Director, Dan Allen at 207-622-4418.
