GCS Teachers Reach Teaching’s Top Milestone by Achieving National Board Certification
Teacher effectiveness has become one of the most critical issues facing America’s schools today. Teaching excellence in the Granville County Schools has taken a step forward following the announcement by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) that the following teachers and counselors in GCS have achieved National Board Certification in December 2010:
Kerry Aldacosta – Credle ES
Adam Cope – Hawley MS
Courtney Currin – JF Webb HS
Virginia Currin – Mt Energy ES
Margaret Hernandez – Wilton ES
Amy Lunsford – Stovall-Shaw ES
Heather Roberts – Butner-Stem ES
Angela Salisbury – JF Webb Health & Life Sciences
Mary Beth Seitzer – South Granville HS
Stacy Splees – Stovall-Shaw ES
Kristina Yoder – Butner-Stem ES
These teachers received re-certification :
Leah Ashley – Mary Potter MS
Chris Monte – JF Webb Health & Life Sciences
Vanessa Wrenn
Betty Crute – Stovall-Shaw ES
Bobbie LeQuire – Stovall-Shaw ES/Credle ES
A voluntary assessment program designed to develop, recognize and retain accomplished teachers, National Board Certification is achieved through a performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices.
“For more than a decade, National Board Certified Teachers have been transforming our nation’s schools by demonstrating effective teaching practice,” said Joseph A. Aguerrebere, NBPTS president and chief executive officer. “I am proud that these Granville County teachers are among a select group of excellent teachers nationwide who have achieved National Board Certification. These outstanding educators are making a positive difference in the lives of students.”
“Like board-certified medical doctors, National Board Certified Teachers have met high standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review,” added Aguerrebere.
NBCTs consistently receive top teaching honors while representing about two percent of the nation’s teaching population. For example:
· Three of the past five National Teachers of the Year are National Board certified.
· One-third of the 2010 State Teachers of the Year are National Board certified.
· More than one-third of the recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are National Board certified.
· Four of the five National Teachers Hall of Fame 2010 honorees are National Board certified.
In the most rigorous and comprehensive study to date about National Board Certification, the non-partisan National Research Council found that students taught by NBCTs make higher gains on achievement tests than students taught by other teachers.
National Board Certification is recognized as a model for identifying accomplished teaching practice and is supported by teachers and administrators nationwide. All 50 states, the District of Columbia and hundreds of local school districts recognize National Board Certification as a mark of distinction. Many states and local school districts provide salary incentives and cover the cost for teachers who pursue and achieve this advanced teaching credential.
