04.14.06

Milestone for teacher certification program

By Mike Frontiero
VCU School of Education
April 14, 2006

A partnership the School of Education has with four Richmond-area school divisions reached a milestone in January when it presented its 100 th National Board Certification pin to a teacher who completed the year-long professional development program.

Thirty-three teachers received pins for their accomplishments at a ceremony held in the VCU Student Commons, bringing to 104 the number of Richmond-area teachers who have been certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards since a VCU-led effort to certify more teachers began in 2001.

The ceremony was attended by several state and local educators, including former Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Jo Lynne DeMary, Chesterfield County Public Schools Superintendent Billy K. Cannaday, Jr., Hanover County Public Schools Superintendent Stewart D. Roberson, Henrico County Public Schools Superintendent Fred S. Morton, IV, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Deborah Jewell-Sherman, VCU School of Education Interim Dean Beverly J. Warren, and Fair Oaks Elementary School Principal Wendy Krickovic, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies. Also in attendance were more than 150 proud friends and family members of the newly certified teachers.

The School of Education’s Center for Teacher Leadership – directed by Terry Dozier, Ed.D. – offers the National Board Certification Candidate Support Program to teachers in Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Richmond through the Metropolitan Educational Training Alliance. The alliance enhances the professional development and training of teachers, administrators, and other educational personnel.

"The single most important action we can take to improve schools and student learning is to strengthen teaching,” said Dr. Dozier. “Teachers, even those who do not achieve, consistently report that the certification process is the best professional development experience of their career. National Board Certified Teachers report that the process has made them better teachers."

National Board Certification is a voluntary professional development process that recognizes accomplished teachers who meet rigorous standards of performance. Offered through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, it is a professional certification increasingly used by states and local communities as a way to identify and reward exemplary teachers.

A National Board Certificate attests that a teacher has met the highest standards established for the profession.

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  Mike Frontiero
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