Four Shoreline District teachers earn National Board Certifications

Four Shoreline School District teachers have received their certifications from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

The teachers and schools are:

• Melissa Ceesay, Syre Elementary
• Matt Gallagher, Shorecrest High School
• Randy Gangnes, Lake Forest Park Elementary
• Ellen Smith, Einstein Middle School

With this latest announcement, Shoreline now has a total of 71 board-certified teachers currently working in the District. Numbers released by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards show that Washington has the most new NBCTs in the United States (516), and is fourth overall in the total number of NBCTs (7,333). This achievement brings the total number of teachers certified nationwide to more than 100,000.

The national certification process takes a minimum of 18 months. Teachers must demonstrate in their four-part portfolio 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. Teachers also take a six-part examination in their content area.

The Shoreline School District supports the National Board Certification program by paying half of the registration fee. Those who complete the program receive a yearly salary bonus approved by the Legislature. Teachers attaining certification provide service either teaching professional development classes, supporting or mentoring colleagues, or working on 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. For more information, visit the NBPTS website.