For the News-Tribune

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — More than 60 West Virginia teachers were honored at a ceremony held Wednesday evening at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences for achieving the teaching profession’s highest credential: National Board Certification.

Among the 60 honorees were four teachers from Mineral County: Laura Fiscus of Frankfort Middle School, Sheila Powell of Keyser Primary-Middle School, Kelly Stanislawczyk of Frankfort Middle School, and Patricia Wolfe of Frankfort Middle School.

Also recognized was Barbara Black, a teacher at West Teays Elementary in Putnam County, for receiving the 2008 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.

Members of the West Virginia Board of Education, state Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine and several other distinguished guests honored the teachers for obtaining the prestigious credentials.  

“National Board Certified teachers not only have to prove they know their subject matter, but they also must provide evidence they know how to effectively teach their subjects to students,” said Paine. “National Board Certified Teachers know how to bridge the gap between what students learn today and what they need to know to be successful in the 21st century. Teachers who receive the national certification are clearly among America’s best.”  

Across the country, more than 60,000 of some of the most effective teachers in the country, including about 420 in West Virginia, have demonstrated that they meet the highest teaching standards by becoming National Board Certified.

National Board Certification is a voluntary

assessment program designed to recognize and reward great teachers — and make them better. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, National Board Certified Teachers 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.

Overall, the first-year achievement rate is about 40 percent, culminating in an achievement rate of approximately 65 percent by the end of the third year.

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.

Founded in 1987, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization.

For more information about NBPTS and National Board Certification, contact the West Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Professional Preparation at (304) 558-7010 or the Office of Communications at (304) 558-2699. Information also is available on the NBPTS Web site at www.nbpts.org.