Ten Shoreline Teachers Receive National Board Certifications

Ten Shoreline School District teachers have received their certifications from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

The teachers and schools are: 

Jennifer Altena, Syre 

Andrew Bagley, Shorewood

Cristi Camp, Einstein

Mikael Christensen, Shorewood

Alisan Giesy, Shorewood

Roberta Ruark, Shorecrest

Brynne Saskor, Shorecrest

Marybeth Scherf, Lake Forest Park

Clark Youmans, Shorewood

Cheryl Zahajiko, Lake Forest Park

With this latest announcement, Shoreline now has a total of 66 board-certified teachers currently working in the District. Numbers released by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards show that Washington has the second-most new NBCTs (945), behind only North Carolina, and is fourth overall in the total number of NBCTs (6,242). This achievement brings the total number of teachers certified nationwide to nearly 100,000.

The national certification process takes a minimum of 18 months. Teachers must demonstrate in their four-part portfolio a deep understanding and application of the national standards that are in place for their field of teaching. A national panel of peers then assesses the portfolio. Teachers also take a six-part examination in their content area.

The Shoreline School District supports the National Board Certification program by paying half of the registration fee. Those who complete the program receive a yearly salary bonus approved by the Legislature. Teachers attaining certification provide 25 hours of service either teaching professional development classes, supporting or mentoring colleagues, or working on projects.

Created in 1987, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit organization devoted to advancing the quality of teaching and learning. For more information, visit the NBPTS Web site at www.nbpts.org.