L.W. School District has "Board Certified" teachers! Should you want to know their names?

Updated:  Physicians attaining the highest standard in their profession are considered "Board Certified".  Many people look for this credential when selecting a doctor.

Did you know professional teachers get Board Certified, too?   Yep!   Had I known this before, I'd make a point to sign up my child to their classes when possible.  Washington School District students are lucky.  The district has 135 full time Board Certified teachers - the 4th highest number in the state! 

During the January 11 School Board meeting, forty new Lake Washington district teachers from the Class of 2010 were awarded "Board Certification", by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.  Almost 10% of all L.W. professional teachers in the district are now certified.

It was thrilling to hear two of  my daughter's teachers recognized during the award ceremony - Ms. Shannon Leonard and Ms. Mary Marsh!!    I remember Lexie contributing some Bio-Chem research homework for Ms. Marsh's University of Washington board project.  Under Ms. Leonard's tutelage and from their close relationship since 6th grade, Lexie discovered a love for teaching.

The certificate training program lasts one year and takes up to 600 hours of work.  Teachers get a $2500 loan from the District to pay for the program.  Teachers must pay off the loan at completion.  Administration supports the program with district staff and grants "release days".

THE BOTTOM LINE:   Students, and especially those with high needs, respond favorably to Board Certified teachers.  It's been extrapolated that students taught by Certified teachers gain the equivalent of twenty additional school days in a year.  Do you know which teachers are Board Certified in your kid's school? 

by Bob Yoder
source:  LWSD video archives, January 11, School Board Meeting.