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| These local educators now are National Board Certified Teachers | |
Akron, Ohio, Feb. 20, 2004 Twenty-eight Northeast Ohio teachers affiliated with The University of Akron's National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Support Cohort have become National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs). The UA College of Education honored the teachers at a reception at the Martin University Center on Feb. 17.
The 28 area teachers are among 383 educators who earned National Board Certification in 2003. With the new certificates, Ohio ranks sixth in the United States with 2,172 NBCTs of a total of 32,131 nationwide. Nearly 10 percent of Ohio's NBCTs have participated and completed the mentoring and support services provided by The University of Akron's NBPTS Cohort Program.
The NBPTS was created in 1987 to establish high and rigorous standards for accomplished teachers. Candidates must have a baccalaureate degree, a minimum of three years of teaching experience and a valid state teaching license. Participants in the UA Support Program attend monthly and bimonthly meetings coordinated by National Board Certified Teacher mentors, as well as have access to an electronic classroom which provides candidates with mentoring and cohort support on a continual basis throughout their candidacy. The program assists teachers in demonstrating the required knowledge and skills necessary to achieve certification.
Dr. Robert Eley, director, UA College of Education NBPTS Support Program, says the newly certified teachers join an elite group.
The National Board Certification is a symbol of professional teaching excellence and a most prestigious honor, Eley says. The UA community can be proud to acknowledge these educators, as 11 are alumni and nearly all are employed within Northeast Ohio school districts.
The following is a list of the honorees and their respective school districts:
Patty Gonzalez, Maria Newman, Akron City; Laura Lapehn, Scott Waseman, Amy Wilson, Barberton City; Roberta Caleris, Berea City; Barb Lilje, Berlin-Milan; Yvonne Franklin, Canton City; Rebecca Sovchik, Cloverleaf Local; Michele Buck, Susan Kershner, Crestview Local; Paula Cutillo, Copley-Fairlawn; Sally Olivera, Patrice White, Cuyahoga Falls City; Richard Pinkava, Cuyahoga Valley Career Center; Blanca Pascher, Hudson City; Barb Linton, Lake Local; Amy Craig, Massillon City; Sheila Allen, Dave Steirer, Medina City; Jeannette Brooker, Orrville City; Diane Dillon, Nordonia Hills; Miriam Daniel (now teaching in Alaska), Tracy Ranier, Norton City; Dawn Kost, Plain Local; Jeff Huston, Sandy Valley Local; John Wido, Strongsville City; Elizabeth Strbik, Wadsworth City.
Since its inception in 1997, the UA NBPTS Support Program has served more than 250 teachers, with 27 candidates enrolled in the 2003-2004 program. The cohort program is supported with a grant from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). In past years, ODE also has provided financial support to candidates for the NBPTS application fee, as well as remuneration for the achievement of this prestigious honor.
Current teachers interested in pursuing National Board Certification should e-mail Dr. Robert Eley at reley@uakron.edu or call 330-972-6966 for more information about the UA NBPTS Support Cohort. Additional information about the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards organization can be found at www.nbpts.org and from the Ohio Department of Education at http://www.ode.state.oh.us/teaching-profession/teacher/national_board_cert.
