SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A powerful partnership between business and education leaders in Huntsville has resulted in a $1 million campaign to help 500 local teachers earn National Board Certification — a move that could serve as a model for communities nationwide.
The initiative, called Raise Your Hand, officially launched in 2021 through the Committee of 100, a network of more than 350 CEOs and business owners committed to economic growth and education. The group set out to make a measurable difference by investing directly in teachers and their professional development.
Committee of 100 CEO John Allen said the idea emerged in 2019 after learning from a local superintendent how National Board Certification transforms classrooms.
“We learned about the return on investment, the achievement gains, and the leadership impact National Board Certified Teachers have in schools,” Allen said. “We know this is a generational impact for our students.”
Initially, the group aimed to raise $200,000 to help 100 teachers complete the rigorous, multi-year certification process, which costs about $2,000 per teacher. When the pandemic struck, leaders expanded their goal to reach 500 teachers across Huntsville, Madison City, and Madison County schools — a milestone that would make the region a national leader in Board-certified educators.
Today, the results are evident. The number of certified teachers has grown from 156 in 2020 to 254 in 2024, with 178 more currently pursuing certification.
The Schools Foundation manages the campaign’s daily operations, assisting teachers through the application process and coordinating with donors.
Among the campaign’s 130 supporters, Redstone Federal Credit Union played a leading role.
“It all came back to education,” said Joe Newberry, Redstone’s president and CEO. “When John showed us the proof that this investment helps teachers and future generations, we knew we had to be part of it.”