Wenatchee Educators Receive Top Teaching Certification

For the second consecutive year, Washington has the most new National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) of any state coming in at a staggering 854. Eight Wenatchee School District teachers are among those that successfully achieved this certification for the first time. Ten more WSD educators were NBCT recertified. The National Board certification is the highest and most rigorous certification process for teaching in the nation.

New National Board Certified Teachers 
Emily Wilgus, Lewis & Clark Elementary
Caitilyn Velasquez, Lewis & Clark Elementary 
Graham Stansbery, WestSide High School 
Diane Owen, Wenatchee High School 
Amy Kerker, Washington Elementary
Kari Hertzog, Foothill Middle School
Theresa Brandt,  Lewis & Clark Elementary
Beth Anne Sykes, Transition House

Recertified National Board Cterified Teachers 
Kathy Anderson, GLAD Trainer
Moira Armen, Columbia Elementary
Scott Benner, Wenatchee High School
Adele Caemmerer, Orchard Middle School
Justin Carvitto, Instructor of the Deaf
Susan Cox, Pioneer Middle School 
Patrice Dahlin, Orchard Middle School 
Jana Sutton, Washington Elementary 
Brian Vickery, Pioneer Middle School 
Dianna Williams, Lincoln Elementary

“The dedication and commitment of these educators to improve their craft through this rigorous process directly impact student success and attainment. We are very proud of their hard work,” said WSD Associate Superintendent Mark Helm. 

Certification consists of four components including an assessment of the teacher’s knowledge, a portfolio showing work students have done and the teacher’s feedback to the student, two videos of the teacher in the classroom, showing lessons taught and the interaction with and among students and a portfolio of “reflective” work: what the teacher does outside the classroom that translates in the classroom.

Ninety-seven out of 553 certificated teachers in the Wenatchee School District are NBCTs (about 17.54%). Nationally 18.74% of teachers are NBCTs. “The Wenatchee School District enjoys a very high percentage of National Board certified educators, thanks in part to the professional development and peer support provided by WEA,” said Wenatchee Education Association President Kris Cameron. 

Washington state consistently ranks among the top in the country on other NBCT figures:

Number of new NBCTs: 854 (national rank: 1st)
Number of renewed certificates: 775 (national rank: 2nd)
Total NBCTs: 10,859 (national rank: 3rd)
Percentage of teachers who are NBCTs: 18.74 percent (national rank: 2nd)
Percentage of NBCTs employed in Washington school districts: approximately 88 percent