By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Several Creek View Elementary School and Meadow View Elementary School teachers have achieved significant milestones, and have earned one of the highest teaching certifications available, the school recently announced.

Eight CVES teachers and three MVES teachers recently earned National Board Certification, which is the result of years of work, said CVES Principal Charissa Cole.

“I am extremely proud of these teachers and this outstanding accomplishment,” Cole said. “It is a joy to observe their dedication and love for teaching and students every day.”

The following teachers earned National Board Certification:

CVES:

-Kim Bice
– Stephanie Cochran
– Melissa Foster
– Maggie Galamore
– Brittney Roberson
– Amy Thames
– Christina Walsh
– Ashley Williamson

 

MVES:

-Lynda Glass
-Valerie Matson
-Stephanie Reynolds

 

The teachers began the process of working toward the certification by regularly driving to Jacksonvile State University to receive mentoring support form a seasoned support group, and moved their mentorship to the University of Montevallo when UM began offering the support the following year, Bice said.

In order to be eligible for National Board Certification, teachers must have a teaching degree, a valid state teaching license and at least three years of teaching experience.

“While there are over 25 certificate areas available, several ACS teachers have pursued the areas of Literacy – Reading and Language Arts, Early Childhood Generalist, Exceptional Needs and more.”

Bice said the National Board Certification program focuses on five “Core propositions:”

-Teachers are committed to students and to their learning.

-Teachers know the subjects they teach and HOW to teach those subjects to students.

-Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.

-Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience.

-Teachers are members of learning communities.

During their path to obtain National Board Certification, candidates complete four components: A standardized test, focusing on a small number of students to differentiate instruction, videoing and reflecting on classroom instructional time and moving students forward as one instructional unit.

“My project was so inspiring because I was basically able to take a student who had no written communication skills and have her writing a story with a beginning-middle-end format within a month,” Bice said of the second component. “The secret was taking the time to reflect and to intentionally build a plan for her to succeed.”

To learn more about the National Board Certification program, visit Nbpts.org.