Nine teachers within the Auburn School District (ASD) earned their National Board Certification(NBC) in 2017. According to the ASD, “NBC is one of the highest designations of professional excellence in the nation. With this new group, the [ASD] now has a total of 78 NBC teachers working in ASD schools.”
The NBC is administered and issued by the National Board of Teaching Standards (NBTS). Founded in 1987, the NBTS “improves teaching and student learning by enhancing overall educator effectiveness and recognizing and rewarding highly accomplished educators.”
Earning National Board Certification
The NBC is a long and arduous process. It encompasses national standards created by fellow
teachers and according to the NBTS “represent a consensus among educators about what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do.”
Before one can begin the process of completing their certification, they must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution;
- Have a minimum of three years’ teaching experience at the early childhood, elementary, middle
school, or high school level; and - Where it is required, hold a state teaching license.
The NBC consists of four components, three portfolio entries and a written exam, that address five core propositions.
The three portfolio entries cover: differentiation in instruction, teaching practice and learning environment and effective and reflective practitioner. The computer-based assessment covers content knowledge. These four sections “require analysis of [the educator’s] practice as it relates to student learning and to being a reflective, effective practitioner.”
To receive their NBC, an educator “must exhibit a deep understanding of their students, content knowledge, use of data and assessments and teaching practice. They must also show that they participate in learning communities and provide evidence of ongoing reflection and continuous learning.”
ASD Proud of Its Teachers
“This is a tremendous achievement and we are fortunate to have teachers with this level of commitment to their profession working with our students,” said Alan Spicciati, Auburn School District superintendent.
The ASD teachers who earned certification in 2017 are:
Orlyn Carney-Olympic Middle School
DeDe Garcia-Washington Elementary
Vallery McCann-Auburn Riverside High School
Daniel Mickelson-Auburn Mountainview High School
Katherine Mikel-Lake View Elementary
Tony Paustian-Auburn High School
Keegan Ryan-Mt. Baker Middle School
Tiffany Taylor-Arthur Jacobsen Elementary
Laura Williams-West Auburn High School
The following teachers renewed their certifications in 2017:
Teri Churchill-Gildo Rey Elementary
Treena Daniels-Lea Hill Elementary
Heather Hartley-Lakeland Hills Elementary
Deanna Tompkins-Lake View Elementary
Reflecting on the Process
Auburn Mountainview High School (AMHS) math teacher Daniel Mickelson shared his experience with receiving his NBC. “I would say that getting my [NBC] was the most rigorous process that I
have ever gone through. It was beneficial from a professional standpoint to reflect on my practice and how to improve as a teacher. I also appreciated support from my administration and other National Board Certified Teachers.”
Now certified and with the process behind him, Michelson said “It is definitely an answer to prayer that I passed, and I am glad to get to spend more time with my wife and our one year old now that I don’t have to worry about National Boards.”
Mickelson shared some advice for educators beginning the NBC process, or considering it, “Do your best and understand that it is a big time commitment, but worth it. Talk with other NBCTs as well as other candidates. Every teacher I talked with was ready and willing to support me in any way I needed, so ask questions to those who have already gone through the process. Take advantage of opportunities offered by [the Washington Education Association], such as the Jump Start and Home Stretch events.” But most importantly, he said, “Don’t give up!”
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