–by Mary Norton Yannuzzi

This year, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) proudly adds eight additional National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) to the group of educators who have earned this stellar certification.

Including these eight, the division employs a total of 167 teachers who hold this distinction – the fifth highest in Virginia. Nationally, the Commonwealth ranks ninth for total number of NBCTs.

According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, this certification is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education. Created by teachers for teachers, National Board Certification is a voluntary certification system based on high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. It takes anywhere from three to five years to complete. 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 evidence that they are effective and reflective practitioners.

Congratulations to the division’s most recent honorees:

Charlene Barrow, Red Mill Elementary School

Dawn Brown, North Landing Elementary School

Chirag Chhaya, Princess Anne High School

Christy Flanagan, Salem Elementary School

Jacquelyn McGuire-Day, Lynnhaven Middle School

Megan Richardson, Plaza Middle School

Amy Ricks, Brandon Middle School

Julia Schwenke, Floyd E. Kellam High School

Congratulations, VBCPS NBCTs!