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Eight Wisconsin teachers are among more than 2,000 teachers nationally who earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 1999, the NBPTS announced Monday (November 22, 1999).
Certification is a voluntary process involving a rigorous performance-based assessment. It has become a prestigious step for many teachers in their quest for professional growth and quality schools.
“Wisconsin should be proud of the accomplishments and hard work of our eight newly certified teachers,” WEAC President Terry Craney said. “They spent many hours of their own time working for certification in order to continue Wisconsin’s tradition of great teachers in great schools.”
The eight who achieved certification are:
They join Wisconsin’s two previously certified teachers, Andrew Kuemmel of Edgerton and Laurine Karstens of Onalaska, who provided guidance and support to prospective candidates at WEAC-sponsored workshops this year.
“Our hope is that the newly certified teachers will join Kuemmel and Karstens in helping candidates through the certification process next year,” Craney said. “We expect many more to work for their certification as a way to become involved in enhancing teaching skills and supporting quality schools.”
WEAC provides grants and offers seminars to assist teachers seeking certification. NEA, DPI, and the NBPTS also provide financial assistance. (See OnWEAC resource page on national certification.)
Monday's announcement brings the current number of National Board Certified Teachers to 4,799.
The year-long process requires extensive written and videotaped documentation of instruction inside the classroom, as well as evaluations, portfolios and tests. Most teachers spend more than 100 hours applying for board certification, which averages out to about one day a week over a semester.
"National Board certification enhances teachers' skills, increases our stature, and improves the education of children," said NEA President Bob Chase. "I am proud that so many of our members, already overburdened in their classrooms, chose to seek this national recognition and validation of their abilities."
Last year NEA embarked on a campaign to increase the number of teachers holding National Board Certification. The ongoing effort includes educational materials, workshops and mentoring assistance to recruit new candidates.
Posted November 22, 1999