MUSD leads state in new National Board Certified teachers

The Maricopa Unified School District leads the state in the number of new National Board Certified Teachers. Of Arizona’s 87 new NBCTs, 11 of them call Maricopa Unified home. Often referred to as the “gold standard” of achievement, NBCT certification asks educators to demonstrate standards-based evidence of the dynamic instruction that takes place in their classrooms. Teachers spend time evaluating their own instructional strategies and work purposely to adjust their practices to better meet the needs of their students.

Learn more about these MUSD teachers in the upcoming January issue of InMaricopa Magazine.

MUSD’s newest National Board Certified Teachers are:

Inez Ramirez
Grade 1 ELL
Butterfield Elementary School

Taryn Cummings
Grade 5 Teacher
Maricopa Elementary School

Janet Stensgaard
Instructional Coach
Maricopa Elementary School

Aidan Balt
English Teacher / Master Teacher
Maricopa High School

Jennifer Miller
English Teacher / Master Teacher
Maricopa High School

Katherine Persitz
English Teacher / Master Teacher
Maricopa High School

Jennifer Cameron
Grade 6 ELA Blended Learning
Maricopa Wells Middle School

Jackie Hahn
Grade 6 Math Blended Learning
Maricopa Wells Middle School

Treva Jenkins
Mentor Teacher
Maricopa Wells Middle School

Shelley Fisher
Grade 3
Pima Butte Elementary School

Staci Oliver
Grade 3
Pima Butte Elementary School

MUSD was in a 2-year partnership with the National Board for Professional Teaching to increase the number of Board Certified teachers. Research shows that National Board Certified teachers have a greater impact on student learning and achievement with their scholars outperforming their peers in other classrooms.  With their students in mind, MUSD teachers took action to further their growth and knowledge through this self-reflective certification process.

National Board Certification is a one-to five-year process that includes taking an assessment and assembling three portfolios. According to the NBPTS, completing the certification shows that each teacher knows and practices “the definitive standards of accomplished teaching.”

Certification consists of four components:

1.    An assessment of the teacher’s content knowledge.
2.    A portfolio showcasing student work samples and how the teacher provides feedback and reflects on student learning.
3.    Two videos of the teacher in the classroom, showing lessons taught and the interaction with and among students demonstrating the depth of teaching and learning.
4.    A portfolio of “reflective” work demonstrating what the teacher does outside the classroom that translates in the classroom, from collaboration to using assessments to inform instruction and learning.

National Board Certification is an investment in our teachers and our students. Earning Board Certification allows teachers to hone their practice, demonstrate their professional knowledge and reinforce their dedication to their students and their career.