The Chicago Public Education Fund

CHICAGO - Nearly 100 Chicago public school teachers were honored Wednesday after earning what is considered the highest teaching credential: National Board Certification. There are now 162 such teachers in Chicago, a 15-fold increase since 1999. These master teachers submit to a yearlong process that includes more than 400 hours of work demonstrating their skills. The teachers will get $5,500 from the Chicago Board of Education and The Chicago Public Education Fund, which has committed $2.2 million to encourage teachers to seek national certification. The teachers will also receive $3,000 a year for the next ten years from the state Board of Education.