Marsha Adler, Ashley Ballard, Sally Schubeck, Nancy Needy, Kelli Coons, Julie Vinesett, Melissa Ewing,
Phyllis McBride, Kaye West

Rich in teaching talent, Spartanburg Two proudly announces nine additional faculty members who have achieved National Board Certification. Sixteen percent, 115 faculty members, now hold the certification. At the January 10 Board meeting, the District Two teachers earning 2011 National Board certification (pictured above) were recognized:

MARSHA ADLER Generalist/Early Childhood Carlisle-Foster’s Grove Elementary ASHLEY BALLARD Generalist/Middle Childhood Rainbow Lake Middle KELLI COONS Generalist/Middle Childhood Boiling Springs Intermediate MELISSA EWING Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early & Middle Childhood Hendrix Elementary PHYLLIS MCBRIDE English Language Arts/Adolescence & Young Adulthood Boiling Springs High 9th Grade Campus NANCY NEEDY Generalist/Middle Childhood Boiling Springs Intermediate SALLY SCHUBECK Generalist/Middle Childhood Boiling Springs Intermediate JULIE VINESETT Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early & Middle Childhood Mayo Elementary KAY WEST Art/Early and Middle Childhood Chesnee Elementary

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) data places South Carolina second in the nation for percentage of teachers who have been or currently are National Board (NB) certified. The new group of NB certified teachers increases the state’s total to 8,142.

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 own classroom practices, understanding of subject material, and preparation techniques. In addition to preparing a portfolio with video recordings 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 meet the high standards for accomplished teaching.

Since 2000, the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA) has been charged by the South Carolina General Assembly to administer the South Carolina National Board Certification Loan Program for teachers choosing to pursue NB Certification. The loan program was disbanded last year; however, private and federal funds with minimal cost to the applicant remain available for teachers interested in pursuing the certification. Further information about alternative funding sources for interested teachers is available on the CERRA Website at www.cerra.org.