28 Gwinnett teachers earn National Board Certification

By from staff reports

Posted 9:47AM on Thursday 18th January 2007 ( 18 years ago )

LAWRENCEVILLE - Twenty-eight Gwinnett County educators recently completed the certification process, thus earning the nation's highest credential for teachers: National Board Certification. Established by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), this voluntary process typically takes one to three years to complete and measures what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. As part of the process, teachers build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, videotapes and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. Additionally, teachers are assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach. "The National Board Certification process requires teachers to evaluate their own practice and reflect about their decision-making process. These reflective practices increase the teacher's classroom performance by fine-tuning their teaching skills and as a result, GCPS students are being taught by teachers who are analytical problem solvers and who constantly improve their teaching methods," says Dr. Connie Burch Whitmore of the school system's Professional Learning Department. According to Former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes, who also serves as chair of the NBPTS Board of Directors, National Board Certification strengthens and reaffirms quality teaching strategies, adds credibility to the teaching profession, represents the profession's highest standards, and has a positive impact on student learning. He says, "The single most important school-related factor in raising student achievement is the quality of the teacher in the classroom. These teachers are living proof that this process works to generate some of the most highly accomplished teachers in the field." Gwinnett's newest Board-Certified teachers include 12 elementary school teachers, 2 from the middle school level, and 14 high school educators. Gwinnett's 28 teachers are the largest group from any one county in Georgia. Overall, 191 Georgia educators earned certification this year, ranking Georgia 12th in the nation based on the number of teachers certified this year alone. Looking at a comprehensive list of teachers certified over time, more than 55,000 teachers nationwide have completed the certification process. Over time, Georgia ranks seventh in the nation with 2, 325 educators holding this prestigious title of distinction. As of January 2007, Gwinnett County Public Schools employed 203 teachers who are National Board Certified. Gwinnett's 2006 National Board Certified Teachers Sara Akin Norcross High Kristy Beam Hendricks Pharr Elementary Bryan Capes Ivy Creek Elementary Laurie Cook J.P. McConnell Middle Jacqueline Ellis Duluth High Michael Findley Norcross High Yolanda Harris Bethesda Elementary Kathleen Henry Harbins Elementary Loy Jayne Brookwood High Cynthia Kauffman Norcross High Judy Lowder Peachtree Ridge High Brian Lucy Trickum Middle Grit Malkin Parkview High Dr. Jeffrey Mathews Parkview High Susan Neuman Norcross High Dr. Penny Oglesby-Cruise Mill Creek High Bernadette Patrey Norcross Elementary Judy Peerless Winn Holt Elementary Katherine Raines Rockbridge Elementary Joanna Root Grayson High Technical Education Program Julie Shively Winn Holt Elementary Amy Steinberg Berkeley Lake Elementary Jeffery Teeple Norcross High Kimberly Thames Meadowcreek Elementary Elizabeth Thomas Fort Daniel Elementary Deborah Tozzi Norcross Elementary Dr. Terry Williams Meadowcreek High Dr. Clyde Wylie Mill Creek High

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