This year, 12 Wayne County Public Schools teachers and one media coordinator have earned a National Board Certification for the first time or renewed their National Board Certification.

National Board Certification is granted by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. It is the most accepted symbol of teaching excellence in the United States. Individuals seeking National Board Certification must hold a bachelor’s degree; have completed three full years of teaching or counseling experience; and possess a valid state teaching or counseling license for that period of time.

The following teachers earned National Board Certification for the first time:

• Catherine Borgquist – Northwest Elementary 2nd grade teacher 
• Merle Rodriguez – Spring Creek Elementary 4th grade teacher
• Brianna Edgerton – Meadow Lane Elementary CDSP (Community Developmental School Program) EC Teacher

“These employees have worked hard to better themselves professionally, and demonstrated through the certification process that they are an accomplished educator,” states Dr. Yvette Smith Mason, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Professional Development. “We plan to spotlight our three newest National Board Certified employees at the February Board of Education meeting and will present each of them with a $500.00 check from the district for their achievement.”

Earning certification is a challenging and time-consuming process. The assessment process for National Board Certification requires candidates to complete four components. Three components are portfolio based, which include artifacts of student work, videotaped lessons, collaboration, and assessment. The other component is an assessment of content knowledge and pedagogy at a computer-based testing center.  

It is estimated that the process will take the better part of a school year and involve a total of 200-400 hours of work outside of the classroom. Locally, educators seeking certification receive support through the district’s Human Resources Department, which provides monthly support meetings and other resources as needed.

The following teachers and media coordinator renewed their National Board Certification:

• Robin Casey – Carver Elementary Title 1 Reading teacher
• Kimberly Richter Smith – Eastern Wayne High English teacher
• Alissa Merritt – Eastern Wayne High Social Studies teacher
• Crystal Hodges – Tommy’s Road Elementary Kindergarten teacher
• Aletta Burton – Wayne Early Middle College High School Math teacher
• Robin Morton – Wayne Early Middle College High School Math teacher
• Amanda McMurray – Southern Wayne High Marketing/Business teacher
• Caitlin Foss – Southern Wayne High Business teacher
• Holly King – Southern Wayne High English teacher
• Skylar Hardy – Spring Creek High Media Coordinator

Renewing a National Board Certification is also a challenging process, which requires candidates to demonstrate that they are accomplished and continuing to grow in their profession. Candidates must create and submit a reflection of their Professional Growth Experiences (PGE) demonstrating how their practices continue to align with the Five Core Propositions in their certificate area. The PGE is a single submission composed of two interrelated components that require the candidates to reflect on their ongoing and varied activities and how they contribute to the positive impact on student learning. 

All total, the district has 112 National Board Certified teachers, media coordinators, counselors and administrators.