Eight GCS Educators Earn 2015 National Board Certification
Eight Greenville County Schools’ educators have earned National Board Certification, one of the teaching profession’s most respected achievements. With 667 teachers who have achieved National Board Certification, Greenville County Schools ranks 13th in the nation out of more than 14,000 school districts (based on most recent data) for total number of NBC teachers. South Carolina ranks third in the nation with 8,820 NBC teachers, trailing only North Carolina and Florida.
In addition to the eight newly certified teachers, 27 teachers have met NBCT renewal requirements.
“I am extremely proud of our teachers who have undertaken the National Board Certification process that allows them to reflect on and improve their teaching practices, and ultimately, increase academic performance in the classroom,” said Superintendent W. Burke Royster.
Teachers seeking National Board Certification undertake a two-part process that takes from one to three years to complete. The process requires candidates to reflect on their classroom practices, assess their understanding of subject material and examine their preparation techniques. In addition to preparing a portfolio with videotapes of classroom teaching, lesson plans, student work samples and reflective essays, teachers must complete assessment center exercises based on content knowledge that prove they have mastered the subjects they teach and also possess the skills to teach them.
Candidates consistently report that collaboration with other NBCTs and candidates eases the burden of the process. To this end, the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement (CERRA) has created an infrastructure of support that includes a district liaison in each of the state’s 84 school districts and a National Board Toolkit comprised of PowerPoints, handouts, and activities to assist candidates as they move through the certification process. CERRA also collaborates with other state agencies including the State Department of Education, The South Carolina Education Association, and Palmetto State Teachers Association to provide workshops and awareness sessions for candidates.
Teachers interested in pursuing the certification for the 2015-16 National Board cycle can access further information on the CERRA Website at nationalboardsc.com.
Greenville County Schools 2015 National Board Certified Teachers
Jeffrey Lamb
Blue Ridge High
Science
Amy Garcia
Brook Glenn Elementary
Resource
Maggie Burdick
Brook Glenn Elementary
Fifth Grade
Gwendolyn Brown
Oakview Elementary
Media Specialist
Catherine Derrick
Riverside High
Guidance
Candice Cherry
Sara Collins Elementary
Third Grade
Christina Guth
Sterling School
Third Grade
Danielle Serina
Wade Hampton High
English