27 local teachers earn NB certification as CCS named among top 50 districts nationwide

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards announced 27 more local teachers have achieved National Board certification and that Cleveland County Schools ranks among the top 50 districts in the nation with numbers of NB certified educators.

The 27 CCS teachers are among 1,453 in the state and 9,600 in the country earning National Board certification during 2007-2008. With this year’s totals, some 215 teachers, counselors and media specialists in Cleveland County Schools – or about 12 percent of eligible certified staff - have earned this most prestigious credential in the teaching profession.

Nationally, about 74,000 teachers are NB certified including 14,211 in North Carolina – the most of any state. NBCTs make up 15 percent of the state’s teaching force. North Carolina has 19 school districts – including Cleveland County - in the top 50 nationwide with numbers of NBCTs.

N.C. teachers who earn National Board certification receive a 12-percent salary supplement and 15 continuing education units (CEUs). The state also covers the cost for those who pursue and achieve this advanced credential.

National Board Certification is a voluntary process achieved through a rigorous performance-based assessment that takes one to three years to complete and measures what accomplished teachers and educators should know and be able to do. 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. Certification is available in 27 fields. The new NBCTs are as follows:

Alfred Ash                                                      Kings Mountain High School
Kathy Beam                                                    Burns Middle School 
Penny Canipe                                                  Marion Intermediate School
Kimberly Creswell                                          Burns High School
Brandy Curtis                                                 Graham Elementary School
Tara Fleisher                                                    Kings Mountain High School
Larry Gardner                                                 Burns High School
Alisa Goad                                                      Burns High School
Kelly Grier                                                      Kings Mountain High School
Amy Hannon                                                  Township Three Elementary School
Janet Heavner                                                 Burns High School
Jennifer Helton                                               Crest High School
Nikki Honeycutt                                             Burns High School
Michelle Mack                                                North Elementary
Denise Mcgirt                                                 Marion Intermediate School
Elizabeth McGraw                                          Kings Mountain Middle School
Elizabeth McSwain                                         Burns Middle School
Michael Morehead                                          Burns Middle School
Pamela Nolen                                                  Crest Middle School
Laura Parker                                                    Burns High School
Evonne Jenkins                                               Jefferson Elementary School
Elizabeth Revis                                               Burns High School
Anna Sanders                                                  Burns High School
Jeremy Shields                                                Crest High School
Jennifer Stimpson                                           Washington Elementary School
Daniel Thomas                                                Crest High School
Brenda Wellmon                                             Crest High School