N.C. leads nation in number of certified teachers

According to information from Gov. Bev Perdue's office, North Carolina leads the nation in national board certification, citing 15,695 teachers had achieved the goal. According to recent data from Alleghany County Schools, 19 teachers are nationally board certified.

The local breakdown was six at Alleghany High School—compared to an average of eight on the state level—Glade Creek School had three—compared to the district's four and the state's five—Piney Creek School had one and Sparta School had nine. Local Comments

One of the district's newest Nationally Board Certified teachers is Jill Gambill, a middle grades math teacher at Piney. Speaking of her experience to achieve the goal, Gambill noted candidates must videotape themselves teaching, write several papers and take an assessment.

"It's an honor," she said of recently receiving the certification. She continued, "It's been very exciting thus far; in the teaching community, they know what it means…they (fellow teachers) know how the certification is a difficult process and a lot of work.

Gambill stated that potential candidates have three tries to achieve national board certification. The state pays for the first attempt (about $2,500), for one part during the second attempt, and the potential candidate pays for the third and final try. Gambill achieved the certification the first time around and said she was "very excited and super surprised" when she was notified of the achievement.

Linnea Miller, a second grade teacher at Glade Creek School achieved her board certification in 2004. When asked why she applied for board certification, Miller cited a pay raise, as well as an opportunity to "work on my professional and educational research and development."

Of the benefits of board certification, Miller remarked, "It made me a lot more aware of the research that has been done especially in reading and writing and (in) science, math and social studies as well. It was a very time consuming learning experience that has been beneficial to me and my students."

Along with benefitting Miller as a teacher, she noted the certification has also helped her better work with her students.

"I know how to diagnose and implement reading and writing strategies that will help the students more effectively…." Miller added, "In conferences and workshops I think my peers listen to me more attentively."

Lucas Pasley, an English teacher at AHS, received his national board certification in 2007 to "improve my teaching and get a pay raise."

Speaking of the certification process, he commented it was "great," and stated "I learned a lot going through the process and it made me a better teacher. It made me more conscientious of my teaching strategies."