Twenty-nine teachers in the Lake Washington School District achieved National Board Certification, as announced by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
There are now 100 National Board Certified teachers working full-time in the district’s schools.
“The National Board Certification process directly benefits Lake Washington students due to teachers’ deep look at their own teaching, and demonstrated competency,” noted Superintendent Dr. Chip Kimball. “National Board Certified teachers share their knowledge and expertise with those around them, benefiting not only the students in their classroom, but other staff and students in their school.”
Teachers earn this prestigious credential through a rigorous assessment that generally takes a year or more to complete. It requires these teachers to demonstrate how their work improves student achievement.
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. It is considered the highest professional certification a teacher can obtain.
This year, 919 teachers in Washington achieved National Board Certification, placing the state third in new National Board Certifications, behind only Florida and North Carolina. Washington now has 2,726 Board-certified teachers, which places the state eighth overall in the nation.
Each teacher achieves certification in a subject area and age range.
The new National Board Certified Teachers, along with their field, are:
REDMOND
• Explorer Community School: Nicole Ames (Literacy: Reading-Language Arts)
• Rose Hill Elementary: Suzanne Hanson (Music)
• Rush Elementary: Jayme Zahn (School Counseling), Yvonne Codd (Special Education)
• Redmond Junior High: Darlene Poitra (Special Needs – Severe to Moderate)
• Rose Hill Junior High: Jason Ewert (Science)
• Redmond High School: Gregg McDonald (Social Studies), Kate Allender (Science), Myra Arnone (Science), Peter Saxby (Science), Sandra Hoffman (World Languages Other Than English)
KIRKLAND
• Franklin Elementary: Brady Howden (Generalist), Neal Manegold (Generalist)
• Muir Elementary: Linda Ritscher-Oddson (English as a New Language)
• Sandburg Elementary: Julie Guest (Literacy)
• Twain Elementary: Virginia Andrews (Generalist), Renee Levine (English as a New Language)
• Futures: Audrey Falkner (Language Arts), Virginia Andrews (Generalist)
• International Community School: Andrya Packer (Language Arts), Anne Love (Science-Biology), Victoria Castaneda (English-Language Arts).
• Juanita High School: Burgi Antezana (World Languages Other Than English), Marshall Tower (Language Arts), Steve Juzeler (Special Needs- Mild and Moderate)
SAMMAMISH
• Smith Elementary: Gretchen Thomas (Generalist)
• Inglewood Junior High: Nancy Simpson (Math), Page Cahoon (Science)
• Eastlake High School: Bryn Medlang (Science), Lara Hollingworth (Science-Chemistry)
