21 Shoreline teachers achieve National Board Certification

Shorecrest’s new National Board Certified teachers
L to R: Rob Mann, Linda Cobb, Toni Nyman, Lisa Gastaldi, Donna Reynolds

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards announced the names of 21 Shoreline School District teachers who have received National Board Certification.

Teachers, schools and subject areas:

• Peggy Aguilar, Spanish, Shorewood
• Linda Cobb, Family and Consumer Science, Shorecrest.
• Nate Courtney, Social Studies, Kellogg
• Rebecca Drury, Journey program (grades 6 to 8) ,Room Nine Community School
• Amanda Findley, Special Education, Parkwood
• Lisa Gastaldi, Counselor, Shorecrest
• Suzanne Hibbert, Spanish, Shorewood
• Jenny Hillger, Library Media, Meridian Park
• Marie Hurtado, Counselor, Kellogg
• Tracy Johnson, Math, Shorewood
• Dana Knox, English, Shorewood
• Cathy Mader, Math, Einstein
• Rob Mann, Math, Shorecrest
• Sarah McFarlane, Social Studies, Shorewood.
• Christina Nelson, Special Education, Einstein.
• Megan Nowak, fifth grade, Brookside.
• Toni Nyman, English, Shorecrest.
• Janet Paden, sixth grade, Brookside.
• Cathy Petersen, English, Kellogg.
• Donna Reynolds, Family and Consumer Science, Kellogg and Shorecrest.
• Pam Richards, Counselor, Shorewood.

Shorewood’s new National Board Certified Teachers

L to R:Peggy Aguilar, Pam Richards, Dana Know, Tracy Johnson, Sarah McFarlane

Photo by Paul Villanueva

Shoreline now has 56 board-certified teachers currently working in the District.

According to spokesperson Craig Degginger, "Shoreline is one of 25 districts in the state with 50 or more NBCTs. Nationwide, Washington ranks second in the country with 1,272 new board-certified teachers in 2010, and fourth with 5,247 certified teachers overall. This achievement brings the total number of teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) to more than 91,000."

The national certification process takes at least 18 months. Teachers take a six-part examination in their content area and create a four-part portfolio which demonstrates a deep understanding and application of the national standards that are in place for their field of teaching. A national panel of peers then assesses the portfolio.

The Shoreline School District pays half of the registration fee for applicants. Those who complete the program receive a yearly salary bonus approved by the Legislature. In return, newly certified teachers give 25 hours of service, teaching professional development classes, supporting or mentoring colleagues, or working on educational projects.

Created in 1987, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit organization devoted to advancing the quality of teaching and learning.