The Rowan Salisbury School System has 12 teachers in the district who have reached teaching’s top milestone by achieving National Board Certification.
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) announced the certifications. According to a press release from the school system, “teacher effectiveness has become one of the most critical issues facing America’s schools today. Teaching excellence in the Rowan-Salisbury School System has taken a step forward following the announcement.”
“I am very proud of the teachers in our district and applaud them for achieving such a distinct recognition,” stays Dr. Judy Grissom, superintendent for the Rowan-Salisbury School System.
“There is a tremendous amount of dedication, commitment and hard work that must be accomplished in order for a teacher to complete the necessary requirements for national board certification. I am very grateful for their personal ambitions to excel in their teaching profession.”
A voluntary assessment program designed to develop, recognize and retain accomplished teachers, National Board Certification is achieved through a performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices.
The 12 Rowan-Salisbury teachers are among a select group of teachers nationwide who have achieved National Board Certification. These educators are making a positive difference in the lives of students. As with board-certified medical doctors, National Board Certified Teachers have met high standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review. Board certification is viewed by the education profession as the gold standard.
Those earning certification include:
• Erika Beattie, Mt. Ulla Elementary, certification in reading-language arts/early and middle childhood;
• Kim Etters, Salisbury High, certification in English language arts/adolescence and young adulthood;
• Susan Eldridge, Salisbury High, certification in world languages other than English/early adolescence through young adulthood;
• Stephanie Erdman , West Rowan High, certification in English language arts/adolescence and young adulthood;
• Kimberly Gallagher, Hurley Elementary, certification in generalist/early childhood;
• Nancy Goodnight, Enochville Elementary, certification in generalist/middle childhood;
• Macheal Humes, Faith Elementary, certification in reading-language arts/early and middle childhood;
• Andrea Kilmer, Knollwood Elementary, certification in generalist/early childhood;
• Kelly Reinholz, Faith Elementary, certification in reading-language arts/early and middle childhood;
• Lorin Stubblefield, Woodleaf Elementary, certification in exceptional needs specialist/early childhood through young adulthood;
• Sandra Sullivan, Salisbury High, certification in English language arts/adolescence and young adulthood;
• Kathryn Vanderslice, North Rowan High, career and technical education / early adolescence through young adulthood.
Dr. William D. Robertson and Dana Robertson are the RSS Coordinators for the National Board Certified Teacher Program for the district.
“The effort and time teachers expend toward achieving National Board Certification definitely merits celebration,” says William Robertson. “It is estimated that the entire process of initial certification can take from 200-300 hours. The accomplishment signifies the sacrifice of much time away from family for teachers engaged in the process. For that professionalism, our new NBCT’s are certainly to be commended.”
This brings the total number of National Board Certified Educators in the Rowan-Salisbury School System to almost 200.
These teachers were honored and recognized at the annual RSS National Board Certification Celebration in January held at Horizons Unlimited. In addition to the teachers and their guests, school board members, central office administrators and school administrators were present to honor their accomplishments. This group of distinguished teachers were also honored and recognized in January at the Board of Education’s monthly meeting.
NBCTs consistently receive top teaching honors while representing about two percent of the nation’s teaching population. For example:
• Three of the past five National Teachers of the Year are National Board certified.
• One-third of the 2010 State Teachers of the Year are National Board certified.
• More than one-third of the recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are National Board certified.
• Four of the five National Teachers Hall of Fame 2010 honorees are National Board certified.
National Board Certification is recognized as a model for identifying accomplished teaching practice and is supported by teachers and administrators nationwide. All 50 states, the District of Columbia and hundreds of local school districts recognize National Board Certification as a mark of distinction.