Wisconsin boasts 74 new national board-certified teachers
A total of 74 Wisconsin teachers have newly achieved the designation of board-certified teachers, including a dozen in the south central part of the state.
"National Board certified teachers are top-notch educations," State Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Burmaster said in congratulating those who reached the designation. "National board certification is a voluntary process that demonstrates exceptional professional practice and in depth subject-area knowledge," she said.
There are several requirements to earn certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, including taking written examinations -- the kind their own students dread. Teachers seeking board certification also undergo extensive series of performance-based assessments that include teaching portfolios, student work samples, videotapes and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching as well as student learning, the Department of Public Instruction said.
Teachers must also complete a series of written exercises that probe the depth of their understanding of their subject matter, as well as their understanding of how to teach those subjects to students, the DPI said.
Wisconsin teachers can receive reimbursement
of up to $2,000 for the costs of seeking national certification and
they receive annual stipends for nine years of $2,500 as long as
they remain in the education field. Those working in high-needs
schools receive an annual stipend of $5,000 as part of the current
state budget.
Burmaster requested that amount as a means of helping high-needs schools, defined as those in which 60 percent or more of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches, attract and retain quality educators.
"Research has demonstrated that students have higher achievement gains when they receive instruction from national board certified teachers," Burmaster said.
"Educators who attain national certification exemplify the quality teaching we need to lift academic achievement for all students and close the achievement gap," said Burmaster.
Teachers in the area who received certification include:
Shannon Anderson, Verona High School, art; Stephanie Brewer, Cambridge Elementary School, literacy; Amy Callies, Park Elementary School, Middleton-Cross Plains, generalist; Debora Gil Casado, Madison Memorial High School, social studies; Thomas Grunder, Waunakee High School, exceptional needs specialist; Matthew Knoester, Madison, generalist.
Andrew Krueger, Verona High School, mathematics; Carrie Mathison, Lakeview Elementary School in Whitewater, literacy; Michael Michalsky, Wisconsin Dells High School, English; Dan Neuberger, Edgerton Community Elementary School, generalist; Linda Ruhland-Stage, Adams Friendship Middle School, exceptional needs specialist; and Maureen Vorwald, Platteville High School, physical education.
The five school districts in the state with the highest number of nationally certified teachers are Milwaukee, with 44; Manitowoc, 22; Madison, 20; and Wauwatosa and Eau Claire with 15 each, said the DPI.
