Six Mercer Island School District teachers achieve 2011 National Board Certification

Jennifer Wright, MISD Executive Director of Learning and Technology Services recently announced that six more teachers have achieved National Board Certification, bringing the total number of Mercer Island teachers with this highest level of national certification to 45, or about 18% of the total teaching staff. The 2011 teachers are: Erica Hill, Susan Jobe, Aaron Noble—all at MIHS; Danae Burger (IMS); Heather McLyman (Lakeridge); and Julie Hovind, Technology Integration Specialist, Elementary.

Less than 4% of the teaching population in the nation has taken the risk to analyze their teaching against national standards from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The National Board Certification evaluation process is designed to assess evidence of accomplished teaching or school counseling practices that are based on NBPTS standards. Teachers are required to submit four portfolio entries. Three are classroom-based, where video recordings and examples of student work serve as supporting documentation. A fourth entry relates to their accomplishments outside the classroom – with families, the community or colleagues – and how they impact student learning. Teachers must also demonstrate content knowledge in response to six exercises developed for their chosen certificate area. Assessments are administered at a regional computer based assessment center.

Once candidates have submitted their portfolio entries and assessment center exercises, their complete work is scored by a minimum of 12 teachers who have successfully completed intensive training and have qualified for scoring on their understanding of NBPTS standards and guidelines. The process may take up to three years to complete.

Superintendent Gary Plano stated, “I am grateful to the Mercer Island Schools Foundation which provides support to teachers in the form of National Board tuition reimbursement and reimbursement for the University of Washington program that offers support for National Board candidates.” Due to high numbers of national board candidates, the district has enough teachers in the program to allow facilitators to provide the classes on Mercer Island.

According to Jennifer Wright, “We are so appreciative of all of our National Board teachers and candidates for their commitment to improving their teaching practice in order to make a significant impact on student learning!” Other district teachers who have completed National Board include: Moira Armen, Eric Ayrault, Trista Bamer, Angela Carey, Andrea Confalone, Jamie Cooke, Lori deStwolinski, Denise Diprima, Allison Fiser, Maria Fontana, Joanna Franklin, Lynn Frickey, Rose Gifford, Susan Hamp, Bruce Harrington, Jesse Jaramillo, Curtis Johnston, Alice Larkin, Brody LaRock, Creighton Laughary, Clay Laughary, Vicky Mann, Joan Papasadero, Monica Phillips, Jamie Prescott, Ed Puchalla, Melissa Ralph, Julie Riccio, Cheryl Sandstrom, Karen Schaps, Kim Schjelderup, Kathy Shaner, Karen Sherwood, Jessica Steinle, Sue Shannon, Kelly Tran, Jan Vetter, David Willecke, Meaghan Williams and Kate Yoder.