Area teachers earn national certification
Lori Buratto, a science teacher at Central Valley High School, Julie Price, a science and math teacher at North Pines Middle School and Karrie Schoesler, a language arts and social studies teacher at Greenacres Middle School, have earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 2006.
They are among the 408 Washington teachers recently achieving one of the teaching profession’s highest honors.
To earn the honor, teachers must undergo a grueling year-long process, which includes creating a portfolio of work that documents their performance in the classroom and completing a series of tests that measures their knowledge of the subject they teach.
“The portfolio was definitely the most difficult part of the process. You have to explain why you teach what you teach, how you teach it, and you have to prove that the students learned it. There’s a lot of self-reflection that goes into it,” said Schoesler.
Schoesler said she spent the entire day, every day of her holiday vacation, along with every weekend in January, February and March working on documentation. In the Central Valley district, teachers complete the process strictly on their own time.
“I’ve had my students use this same type of self-reflection on their work,” said Schoesler. “It’s been a great way for both of us to see what they’re learning, and with the feedback I get from the kids, I know what changes to make for next year.”
Gov. Chris Gregoire has proposed boosting the annual stipend awarded to National Board Certified teachers from the current $3,500 to 10 percent of the teacher’s salary, with additional bonuses paid to those who teach math and science.
“Washington has developed a system that helps support teachers with the energy and dedication to take on this certification challenge,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson, “and it’s paying dividends for our students.”
Others receiving NBPTS certification for 2006 include: Ruth Brocklebank, Lori Johnson, Holly Kinney, Airion Klein, Heather Phenneger, Lori Shauvin, Daniel Sjolund and Amanda Workman from Spokane Public Schools and Shannon Espinoza-Knauss, Cheney School District and Jeanne Sciuto, Mead School District.