This year, eight Wayne County Public Schools’ teachers 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:

• Leigh Ann Horton – Norwayne Middle English language arts teacher
• Sara Ruhl – Eastern Wayne High English teacher
• Stephanie Washburn – Northeast Elementary 5th grade 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 May Board of Education meeting and will present 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 counselors renewed their National Board Certification:

• Susan Edwards – Charles B. Aycock English teacher
• Veronica Fordham-McCoy – Spring Creek Elementary
• Tracy Pittman – Fremont Elementary 1st grade teacher
• Jamie Smith – Rosewood Middle
• Amy Strickland-Rouse – Eastern Wayne High Science teacher

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 Profile of Professional Growth (PPG) demonstrating how their practices continue to align with the Five Core Propositions in their certificate area. The PPG is a single submission composed of three interrelated components and a reflection. These components draw upon a single group of Professional Growth Experiences that have occurred during the candidate’s certification.

All total, the district has 111 National Board Certified teachers, counselors and administrators.