The IB Teacher Awards
About the initiative
A new IB professional development initiative involving the setting up of a number of university postgraduate courses aimed to develop teachers’ understanding of the principles and practices associated with each of the three IB programmes has been established.
This initiative also involves the creation of an award framework for formally acknowledging this understanding and the commitment teachers make to their professional learning.
Those who successfully complete a IB recognized postgraduate course of study developed by universities working in cooperation with the IB will be eligible to apply and register for one of two awards.
About the awards
Two levels of recognition have been established
The two awards are a formal acknowledgement by the IB of the knowledge and understanding about IB principles and practices that teachers have demonstrated during their academic study and investigation.
Currently the only means of gaining eligibility for either of the two awards is through completing a recognized postgraduate course of study. In the future it will be possible for experienced IB teachers to gain eligibility for the Level 1 award by compiling a professional portfolio incorporating some critical self reflection. Future developments in the portfolio route will be announced in the 'news' section.
About the universities
A number of universities are currently working with the IB to develop and offer courses of study, enabling successful participants to register for these awards. Overtime it is expected that a network of universities will be established globally, offering IB recognized courses.
- Flinders University (Adelaide, Australia)
- Curtin University of Technology (Perth, Australia)
- The University of Melbourne (Victoria, Australia)
- The University of Bath (Bath, U.K.)
- Oakland University (Michigan, U.S.A.)
- Bethel University (Minnesota, U.S.A.)
- George Mason University (Virginia, U.S.A.)
Universities interested in finding out more about this initiative, with a view to possible involvement, can contact the IB’s teacher education services department for further information.
News
First undergraduate courses recognized
Curtin University of Technology (Perth, Australia) has recently had three initial teacher education courses of study recognized (subject to legal agreement) as meeting the requirements of the level 1 IB teacher awards.
The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education), the Bachelor of Education (Primary) and the Bachelor of Education (Secondary), mark the first of their kind to target undergraduate students in relation to the awards, and enable participating students to focus their studies on the IB’s Primary Years and Middle Years programmes respectively.
Successful completion of the courses lead to eligibility for a level 1 award. The IB looks forward to recognizing more undergraduate and graduate courses in the near future. Please visit the ‘find a course of study’ page to find a course suitable for you.
Graduates!
If you have recently graduated from an IB recognized course of study leading to eligibility for a Level 1 award and would like to register for the award please visit our application and registration page.
Stay informed
Would you like to be kept informed of the latest developments specifically related to the IB teacher awards?
If so let us know by sending an email to teacher.award@ibo.org and we will add your name and email address to our mailing list.