Press Room
ESD 112 region teachers achieve National Board Certification
More than a dozen teachers in the ESD 112 region have earned a prestigious certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. They are among 315 educators statewide to earn this certification.
With this latest announcement, Washington has a total of 900 board-certified teachers--placing the state 13th in the nation for the number of National Board certification holders.
"We've developed a system in Washington that supports teachers while they're going through the certification process, and it's paying dividends for our students," said State Superintendent Terry Bergeson. "These teachers become more capable in the classroom and more confident about their ability to inspire kids to learn and achieve.
"I'm particularly proud that we continue to expand the number of teachers pursuing certification as well as the number that attain this level of professional standing."
The path towards National Board certification is a year-long introspective process, one which includes creating of a portfolio of work that documents a teacher's success in the classroom as evidenced by their students' learning. Candidates also complete a series of tests designed to measure their knowledge of content.
Many of the teachers who achieved certification this year received support for their efforts through the Washington Initiative for National Board Teacher Certification. To promote this opportunity for professional development as a way to positively impact student learning, Washington Mutual, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Stuart Foundation provide funding to support scholarships, mentoring and networking to reinforce and sustain teachers through the process.
Successful candidates earn a 10-year certificate; receive a $3,500 annual stipend subject to Washington state legislative appropriation; have their state teaching credentials renewed to match the length of the national certificate; and will be able to apply graduate credits earned while studying for National Board certification to advanced degrees.
Quick Facts:
• 315 Washington teachers attained National Board certification in 2005, placing the state sixth in the nation for the largest class of successful candidates.
• 900 teachers in our state now hold National Board certification--only 12 states in the nation have more teachers with this certification.
• 140 Washington school districts have at least one teacher with National Board certification; 20 districts have their first one ever this year.
ESD 112 region teachers to earn National Board Certification are:
• Karri Allen, Evergreen School District
• Rebecca Arai, Vancouver School District
• Margaret Barker, Evergreen School District
• Sandra Barlow, Evergreen School District
• Betty Caughie, Battle Ground School District
• Sharon Conditt, Woodland School District
• Marjorie Decker, Evergreen School District
• Karen Gozart, Evergreen School District
• Peter Knowles, White Salmon Valley School District
• Keith Lee, Evergreen School District
• Cynthia Oneill, Evergreen School District
• Omar Sankari, White Salmon Valley School District
• Tracy Schuster, Evergreen School District
• Jennifer Simpson, Evergreen School District
• Toni Town, Hockinson School District
• Melissa Wells, Evergreen School District
• Marcianna Williams, Goldendale School District
• Shelley Youngblood, Camas School District