Twenty-three BVSD teachers were recognized by the White House Dec. 7 for earning their National Board Certification in 2011:

Patricia  Arnow, Foothill Elementary
Barbara  Bogner, Foothill Elementary
James Brittenham, Foothill Elementary
John  Costello, Broomfield High
Aaron  Edrington, Foothill Elementary
Erin Greenwood, Platt Middle
Julia Halaby, Boulder High
Karen  Hannahoe, Platt Middle
Lori  Hattendorf, Bear Creek Elementary
Alysia Hayas, Whittier International Elementary
Elena  Hershey, Casey Middle
Darla Humphrey, Monarch K-8
* Lynn Jackson, Eldorado K-8 (* second certification)
Andrea  Kinzey-Wheeler, Nederland Middle/Senior
Caitlin Kline, Whittier International Elementary
Kate  Lunz, Monarch High
Karen  Mackie, Lafayette Elementary
Mary  McDaniel, Whittier Elementary
Cara Mentzel, Foothill Elementary
Sarah Shipley, Broomfield High
Jennifer  (Blevins) Silbermann, Whittier International Elementary
Kimberly Struck, Peak to Peak K-12
Richard Trinkner, Boulder High

BVSD Teacher Karen Hannahoe represented Colorado at the White House event, where U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and White House Domestic Policy Director Melody Barnes congratulated the newly certified teachers with remarks focused on how the National Board process can lead to improved instruction and enhanced leadership in the profession.

"Teachers earning National Board Certification have demonstrated their dedication to the profession and desire to provide high quality education for students," said BVSD Superintendent Bruce Messinger, PhD. "This is a significant professional accomplishment for each of the educators and a meaningful investment in the Boulder Valley School District."

These 23 teachers will be celebrated by BVSD on January 10, 2012, at a special reception hosted by BVSD's Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction Division. The teachers will then be inducted into the BVSD Superintendent's Honor Roll during the regularly scheduled meeting of the Boulder Valley Board of Education that same evening.

To earn National Board Certification, teachers go through a rigorous process including submitting an application and a portfolio of work, and taking a test that is content-specific to the area where teachers are seeking a certification.

A total of 93 teachers in Colorado earned National Board Certification in 2011, up 17 percent from a year ago. Colorado's top five school districts for cumulative total of teachers with the certification, based on where they were teaching when they became certified are: Denver Public Schools with 104; Boulder Valley School District with 100; Cherry Creek School District with 87; Douglas County School District with 50; and Mesa Valley County School District 51 with 43.

"National board certification is synonymous with great teaching. While our nation is focused on the need for the highest quality teachers, board certification truly is the gold standard," said Ronald Thorpe, president and CEO of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

For more information about BVSD's National Board Certification program for teacher, see http://www.bvsd.org/curriculum/Pages/nationalBoardCertification.aspx.

Read the Dec. 7 news release from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
 

About the National Board Professional Teaching Standards
NBPTS is recognized as the source for the highest standards and practices that lead to improved teaching, leading and learning. A voluntary assessment program designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers, and to embed ongoing school improvement in schools nationwide, National Board Certification is achieved through performance-based assessment and testing that takes one to three years to complete.
While state teacher credentialing programs set the basic requirements to teach in each state, National Board Certified Teachers must demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. Completion of the NBPTS certification process signifies that teachers have developed and demonstrated the skills required of an accomplished education professional. By completing the certification renewal process, these accomplished teachers show that they continue to meet the nation's highest teaching standards.