This year, 10 Wayne County Public Schools (WCPS) teachers 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 time.

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

• Debra Sauls, Northwest Elementary, EC Teacher

• Maya Fulton, Wayne School of Engineering, Business Teacher

• Laura Taylor, Curriculum & Instruction Department, Instructional Coach & Teacher Cadet Coordinator

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 renewed their National Board Certification:

• Edward Coggins, Charles B. Aycock High, English Teacher

• Wendy Hair, Charles B. Aycock High, Media Coordinator

• Winnie Wong, Eastern Wayne Middle, Music Teacher

• Rachel Lovett Jones, Grantham Elementary, 2nd Grade Teacher

• Emily Coggins, Northwest Elementary, 4th Grade Teacher

• Amanda Minshew, Rosewood Elementary, 1st Grade Teacher

• Scott Hardy, Spring Creek High, 6th Grade Teacher

Maintaining National Board Certification is also a challenging process that 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.

“By earning or renewing National Board Certification, these teachers have worked hard to better themselves professionally, and demonstrate that they are an accomplished educator,” states Dr. Yvette Smith Mason, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Professional Development. “We congratulate all of them on their achievement.”

The 10 teachers were recognized at the January Board of Education meeting. The three newest National Board Certified teachers were also presented a $500 check from the school district for their achievement.

In total, the district has 80 National Board Certified teachers, media coordinators, counselors, and administrators.