Eight educators from Battle Ground Public Schools earned certification in 2017 from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). This accomplishment marks the successful completion of a rigorous, one-to-three year program aimed at honing teaching techniques and styles that bolster students’ enthusiasm for learning.

National Board Certification is an advanced teaching credential that goes beyond state licensure. Only about 40 percent of educators earn the certification on their first attempt.

Battle Ground’s 2017 recipients are:

  • William Baur, science teacher at River HomeLink School
  • Marla Caesar, guidance counselor at Battle Ground High School
  • Gloria Ferguson, math intervention specialist at Yacolt Primary School
  • Angie Foster, English language arts teacher at Battle Ground High School
  • Amy Hicks, third grade teacher at Captain Strong Primary School
  • Amanda Howard, math intervention specialist at Daybreak Middle School
  • Maryke Haynes, math teacher at Battle Ground High School
  • Lindsay Pethick, math teacher at Prairie High School

National Board Certified Teachers are highly accomplished educators who meet rigorous standards set by the NBPTS. Board-certified teachers benefit the school district by sharing their information, knowledge and experience with other teachers who can then take the knowledge into their own classrooms. Most importantly, students benefit from the enhanced skills of board-certified teachers who make the most of their interactions with the children they teach.

The state awards stipends of approximately $3,178 to $5,296 a year to national board certified teachers in Washington State. With nearly 9,000 NBCTs, Washington state has the fourth largest group of NBCTs in the nation.