According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) certification is considered to be the most respected professional certification in K-12 education. And, it takes anywhere from three to five years to complete.
Now, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) proudly adds 12 more division teachers to the group of teachers who have achieved this certification. These most recent honorees bring the division’s total of NBCTs to 167 – the fifth highest in Virginia. Nationally, the Commonwealth ranks ninth for total number of NBCTs.
What makes this certification unique is that it was created by teachers to identify what accomplished educators should know and be able to do. In order to achieve certification, candidates are required to demonstrate their mastery of content knowledge, provide a portfolio demonstrating how they differentiate instruction based on student needs, provide videos of their teaching in action, and submit a portfolio demonstrating evidence that they are effective and reflective practitioners.
Congratulations to the division’s most recent honorees:
Lauren Aversa, Ocean Lakes Elementary
Taryn Bailey, Thalia Elementary
Jessica Bradford, Pembroke Elementary
Danielle Dow, Woodstock Elementary
Michele Gagliardi, Frank. W. Cox High
Melissa Hogan, Great Neck Middle
Kathleen Laroue, Tallwood High
Abigail McGee, Floyd E. Kellam High
Aubrey Simmons, Corporate Landing Middle
Connie Szymanski, Arrowhead Elementary
Raena Weimer, Frank W. Cox High
Katherine Welch, Floyd E. Kellam High
The school division’s Office of Professional Growth offers numerous resources to help teachers earn this prestigious certification. Division teachers have been awarded this recognition for the past several years. Read more about our NBCTs from 2019 and 2018.