Twenty Arlington Teachers Receive National Board Certification
Twenty Arlington teachers received National Board Certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). To date, a total of 89* APS teachers have earned national board certification from the NBPTS.
The NBPTS, a nonprofit organization established to promote professional teaching excellence, recognized the teachers for meeting and exceeding national standards for outstanding classroom instruction. The voluntary certification process requires a rigorous performance-based assessment that candidates have up to three years to complete.
“I’m pleased to see so many Arlington teachers earning this prestigious certification. Their dedication to the teaching profession and their students is evident. Our children will benefit greatly from their added knowledge and skills,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert G. Smith.
Arlington had 89 board certified teachers, the second highest number for any district in Virginia behind Fairfax County Public Schools which has 266 board certified teachers. “This comparison is particularly impressive given the relative size of the districts,” said Dr. Smith.
APS now recognizes National Board Certification as part of the Career Advancement Program (CAP). CAP participants may choose NBCT as one portfolio option to demonstrate achievement of advanced professional skills and knowledge, and are awarded a step increase on the pay plan that will be maintained throughout their career with APS. The increase will be implemented at the beginning of the next school year. The state of Virginia also offers an incentive bonus for board certified teachers. The state program is contingent upon continued funding from the state.
National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to recognize and reward teachers and make them better. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, teachers who earn NBCT have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete.
As part of the process, teachers build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, videotapes and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. Additionally, teachers are assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach.
The 20 Arlington Public Schools teachers who have earned certification are:
Name School
Gail Bailey Yorktown High School
Donald Bierschbach Yorktown High School
Nicole Billings Hoffman Boston Elementary School
Sharon Creeley Hoffman Boston Elementary School
Sarah S. Harrick Washington-Lee High School
Dat Le H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program
Steven Love Arlington Career Center
Sarah Lynn Kenmore Middle School
Anne Malleck Long Branch Elementary School
Diane Mazziotti Arlington Traditional School
Carolyne Meehan Williamsburg Middle School
Claire Moir Washington-Lee High School
Carol Oakes Drew Elementary School
Michael Palermo Yorktown High School
Susan Peine Patrick Henry Elementary School
Alethea Price Tuckahoe Elementary School
Donna Sacco Glebe Elementary School
Robert Summers Washington-Lee High School
Scarlett Williams Barcroft Elementary School
Katherine Zimmerman Williamsburg Middle School
The Arlington School Board will honor the group with a 7 p.m. reception on Thu, Jan. 17, followed by special recognition at the beginning of the School Board’s 7:30 p.m. meeting.
For more information about National Board Certification, contact Kate Sydney at 703-228-2112.
* This number does not include teachers that have left APS or have retired.
