I touch the future. I teach.
~Christa McAuliffe
A gathering at the State Capitol Auditorium recognized new National Board Certified Teachers and Renewal National Board Certified Teachers. Speakers included Kamehameha Schools’ Phyllis Unebasami, Governor Neil Abercrombie, Representative Roy Takumi, Senator Jill Tokuda, Assistant Superintendent Stephen Schatz, and HSTA President Wil Okabe. The honorees also heard from the Vice Chair of the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board, Wray Jose, and the Vice Chair of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Christy Levings. Neighbor island celebrations are also planned.
ADVANCING THE PROFESSION: Congratulations to newly certified teachers. Read more about the certification process. If you are certified, find out how to join a local professional organization called HSTA NBCTs: A National Board for Professional Teacher Standards Network Affiliate.
Congratulations:
The 2013 NBCT renewals are:
Debbie Anderson, Waiakea Intermediate
Laura Brown, Pearl Ridge Elementary
Karen deBrum, Lanai High and Elementary
Laurie Flores, Hauula Elementary
Beth Fobbe-Wills, Lahaina Intermediate School
Michael Ida, Kalani High
Tracey Idica, Aiea High
Linda Seals, Wahiawa Intermediate
Kimberly Tadaki, Holomua Elementary
Joanne Thompson, Kilauea Elementary
Gail Van De Verg, Heeia Elementary
Kara Yasui, Holomua Elementary
New NBCTs in 2013 are:
Nicholas Barry, Iroquois Point Elementary
Lissa Bastedo-Penner, Kamehameha III Elementary
Decy Belmonte, Ahrens Elementary
Mary Berger, Kailua High
Nicole Blomberg, Pohakea Elementary
Mila Bradley, Nanaikapono Elementary
Sheri Burke, Sunset Beach Elementary
Monica Chavez, Kealakehe Intermediate
Amy Downey, Mililani Ike Elementary
Malia Draper, Wailuku Elementary
Michelle Dressler, Kauai High
Eleyne Fia, Campbell High
Elizabeth Gianfrancisco, Myron B. Thompson Academy
Susan Gonsalves, Aiea High
Linda Gravatt, Hana High and Elementary
Mitzi Hasegawa, Hana High and Elementary
Holland Henderson, Mililani High
Jami Higashi Lee, Pearl City High
Yvette Ikari, Central District Office
Mariko Jackson, Kahuku High and Intermediate
Jenna Kanaya, Mililani Ike Elementary
Suanne Kim, Palolo Elementary
Bo Kim-Bautista, Wailuku Elementary
Angie Koanui, Farrington High
Janelle Ling, Kaiser High
Andrew Michaels, Waipahu High
Jennifer Mizumura, Lincoln Elementary
Christian Morgado, Kauai High
Carina Morgan, Mililani High
Kristie Morikawa, Moanalua High
Amber O’Reilly, Windward District Office
Diane Omura, Baldwin High
Malia Perry, Waiakea Elementary
Julia Sanderl, Kapaa Intermediate
Sean Silva, Mokulele Elementary
Amber Stanley, Hahaione Elementary
Jodi Tanabe-Hanzawa, Aiea High
Joy Takatsuka, Kamehameha III Elementary
Travis Toriano, Hilo Intermediate
Haley Van Weemen Van Noord, Lahaina Intermediate
Kate Welch, Pomaikai Elementary
(Posted December 17, 2013 1:40 AM)
HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER
59 more isle teachers earn National Board certification
By Nanea Kalani / nkalani@staradvertiser.com
An additional five dozen Hawaii public school teachers have earned an advanced teaching credential this year, joining more than 100,000 teachers nationwide who have obtained the prestigious National Board certification, the state Department of Education announced Monday.
Fifty-nine Hawaii teachers recently earned the certification after a rigorous testing and evaluation program, bringing the state’s total of National Board-certified educators to 469. That represents just over 4 percent of classroom teachers in the isles — higher than the national average of 3 percent for school districts.
The DOE said that over the past three years, Hawaii has seen the fastest growth in the number of so-called National Board Certified Teachers in the nation.
As part of the certification process, teachers need to analyze their teaching context and students’ needs, submit videos of their teaching and provide student work samples that demonstrate growth and achievement, according to the nonprofit Arlington, Va.-based National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
The certification — which costs about $2,500 and involves a rigorous, performance-based, peer-review process — is considered the highest mark of accomplishment in the profession, the DOE said.
Studies have shown that students of National Board Certified Teachers outperform students of non-board-certified teachers on achievement tests. In one study these learning gains were equivalent to an extra two months in school.
The 2012 study by the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University found that students of National Board-certified teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District made learning gains that, on average, amounted to two months of additional math instruction and one month of additional English language arts instruction.
Wil Okabe, president of the 13,500-member Hawaii State Teachers Association union, praised the teachers’ efforts.
“Teachers care and often work beyond the classroom to improve the practice of teaching that leads to improved student learning and produces real results. The rigorous National Board certification process is one way teachers can work to analyze their practice, improve their own skills, and share best practices with others in the profession,” he said in a statement to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
The HSTA; the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, which licenses teachers; and Kamehameha Schools provide administrative and technical support to teachers interested in seeking the credential.
The names of this year’s class of teachers are expected to be released today.
(Posted December 16, 2013)
HONOLULU — The Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE), Kamehameha Schools and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) announced today that 59 teachers in Hawaii achieved National Board Certification this year, demonstrating that they have attained the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare students for 21st century success.
Over the past three years, Hawaii has experienced the fastest growth in the number of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in the nation and now has a total of 469 NBCTs.
To date, more than 106,000 teachers in all 50 states and around the world have achieved National Board Certification, which is considered the highest mark of accomplishment in the profession. It includes a rigorous, performance-based, peer-review process similar to Board certification in fields such as medicine.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate the achievement of our new NBCTs,” said Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “Their achievement is not only a testament to their hard work, determination and impact on their students’learning, it is a reflection of Hawaii’s strong commitment to supporting all teachers in their pursuit of National Board Certification.”
The State of Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, Hawaii State Teachers Association and Kamehameha Schools provide administrative and technical support to teachers interested in seeking National Board Certification. Recently, the DOE has partnered with Kamehameha Schools to train Hawaii NBCTs to conduct the introductory training of the Charlotte Danielson’s Framework for Teaching at schools throughout the state.
“It is no small accomplishment to become Board certified,” said Kamehameha Schools CEO Dee Jay Mailer. “It’s a strong symbol of dedication to professional excellence for one of the greatest callings on this Earth. The Danielson approach to professional development provides pathways to such excellence and it is gratifying to know that these master teachers are ready to assist their colleagues in the pursuit of their excellence as well.”
Saluting the newest class of NBCTs, Ronald Thorpe, president and CEO of the National Board, said: “Achieving National Board Certification is not only a great personal achievement, it is a strong statement about a teacher’s commitment to the profession and to students and their learning. Today, only a small fraction of America’s teachers are Board certified, but to improve the global competitiveness of our students, we must ensure that every novice teacher is on a trajectory towards accomplished practice.”
“Teachers care and often work beyond the classroom to improve the practice of teaching that leads to improved student learning and produces real results. The rigorous National Board Certification process is one way teachers can work to analyze their practice, improve their own skills, and share best practices with others in the profession. I congratulate and thank this year’s teachers,” Hawaii State Teachers Association President Wil Okabe.
The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board Chairperson, Terry Holck states, “The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board would like to congratulate the new National Board Certified Teachers who have successfully undertaken the rigorous National Board Certification process and demonstrated their content knowledge and teaching skills against the most advanced standards in the nation. We would also like to commend the teachers who renewed their National Board Certification this past year. The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board is proud of its commitment to teacher excellence by providing subsidies and support sessions to Hawaii’s teachers who elect to go through this process. Every day, these accomplished teachers are having a positive impact on students in Hawaii.”
Research has shown that NBCTs have a significant impact on student achievement and that their students outperform their peers in other classrooms. Most recently, a 2012 study by Harvard University’s Strategic Data Project found that students of NBCTs in the Los Angeles Unified School District made learning gains equivalent to an additional two months of instruction in math and one month in English language arts.
National Board Certification is available in 25 certificate areas from Pre-K-12th grades. National Board Standards are written for teachers, by teachers and accomplished teachers are represented at every level of the organization, from key staff roles to the NBPTS Board of Directors and the Certification Council, which guides policy and implementation of the certification program. This fall the National Board announced revisions to the certification process that will help ensure more students across the country have the opportunity to learn from Board-certified teachers. Learn more about the revisions here.
The Hawaii State Department of Education is the ninth largest U.S. school district and the only statewide educational system in the country. It is comprised of 288 schools and serves more than 185,000 students. Hawaii’s public school system was established in 1840 by King Kamehameha III. To learn more, visit HawaiiPublicSchools.org.
(Posted December 13, 2013)
ADVANCING THE PROFESSION - Are you interested in the certification process?
What is National Board Certification?
http://www.nbpts.org/national-board-certification
Candidate Center
http://www.nbpts.org/future-revision-national-board-certification
ADVANCING THE PROFESSION - New Hawaii group for Board Certified teachers
A statewide network for National Board Certified Teachers, candidates, and supporters of the National Board is a new opportunity for teachers. Last month, Ron Thorpe, President and CEO of the National Board Professional Teaching Standards, congratulated HSTA NBCTs and notified us that we are officially part of the Affiliated Network of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
All NBCTs are invited to join the NBPTS Network Affiliate, called “HSTA NBCTs.” This organization will be a venue for teachers to connect with Association leadership opportunities, professional development events, research, politics, and advocacy for National Board Certification.
The mission of the group is:
To advance the quality of teaching and learning by supporting a collaborative network of NBCTs, candidates and other professionals, to connect network participants with teacher leadership opportunities, and to promote the sharing of ideas and expertise within our network, HSTA and HTSB.
Please join us by completing a membership form at:
http://tinyurl.com/kjk6gob
We are also on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/hsta.nbcts
