Teacher effectiveness has become one of the most critical issues facing America’s schools today. Teaching excellence in the Logan County Public Schools have taken a step forward following the announcement by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) that Sheila Cunningham and T.J. Meguiar, teachers at Chandlers School and Carol Sindorf Media Specialist at Chandlers School; Lorie DeBerry, Magan Gaddis, and Kim Skipworth, teachers at Adairville School; and Judy Wilson, teacher at Lewisburg School have all earned the National Board certification. Belle Rush, teacher at Chandlers School, also earned recertification.

A voluntary assessment program designed to develop, recognize and retain accomplished teachers, National Board Certification is achiever through a performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices.

“For more than a decade, National Board Certified Teachers have been transforming our nation’s schools by demonstrating effective teaching practice,” said Joseph A. Aguerrebere, NBPTS president and chief executive officer. “I am proud that these teachers are among a select group of excellent teachers nationwide who have achieved National Board Certification. These outstanding educators are making a positive difference in the lives of students.”

“Like board-certified medical doctors, National Board Certified Teachers have met high standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review,” added Aguerrebere.

NBCTs consistently receive top teaching honors while representing about two percent of the nation’s teaching population. For example:

Three of the past five National Teachers of the Year are National Board certified.

One-third of the 2010 State Teachers of the Year are National Board certified.

More than one-third of the recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are National Board certified.

Four of the five National Teachers Hall of Fame 2010 honorees are National Board certified.

In the most rigorous and comprehensive study to date about National Board Certification, the non-partisan National Research Council found that student taught by NBCTs make higher gains on achievement tests than students taught by other teachers.

National Board Certification is recognized as a model for identifying accomplished teaching practice and is supported by teachers and administrators nationwide. All 50 states, the District of Columbia and hundreds of local school districts recognize National Board Certification as a mark of distinction. Many states and local school districts provide salary incentives and cover the cost for teachers who pursue and achieve this advanced teaching credential.

These teachers bring the total number of teachers in Logan County Public Schools who have earned their certification to 19. Staff members in Logan County Public School district who previously earned National Board certification include Elisa Beth Brown, principal at Chandlers School and Casey Jaynes, who serves as the principal of Logan County High School; Lori Bouldin from Adairville School; Jennifer Jenkins, who is the assistant principal at Lewisburg School; Shanan Mills, who is district curriculum specialist; Lana Whitaker and Greta Winchester from Chandlers School’ and Bonnie Watson, who is the assistant principal at Olmstead School.