It’s considered to be the most respected professional certification in K-12 education, according to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. And, it takes anywhere from three to five years to complete. Now, 18 more teachers from Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) have achieved National Board certification.
These 18 additional honorees bring the division’s total of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) to 159 – the fourth highest in Virginia. Nationally, the Commonwealth ranks ninth in terms of the NBCT.
What makes this certification unique is that it was created by teachers for 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:
- Amy Watson from Kempsville Elementary School;
- Marie Aronson from Lynnhaven Elementary School;
- Anne Bianchi from Seatack Elementary School: An Achievable Dream Academy;
- Susan Allen, Sharita Henderson-Tankard and Julie Kostrzewa from Corporate Landing Middle School;
- Leigh Drake from Old Donation School;
- Anthony Nobles and Gregory Hogan from Plaza Middle School;
- Jessica Provow from Virginia Beach Middle School;
- Joshua Poe from Green Run High School;
- Kelly Turner from Kellam High School;
- Kara Kimball from Kempsville High School;
- Angela Cosimano and Amanda Augustine from Princess Anne High School;
- Margaret Sloan and Kathleen Trace from Salem High School; and
- Cynthia Chadwick from Tallwood High School.
The school division’s Office of Professional Growth offers numerous resources to help teachers earn this prestigious certification. Learn more by visiting vbschools.com.