Emporia State University National Teacher Certification Program boasts 100 percent certification rate

Emporia State University National Teacher Certification Program boasts 100 percent certification rate
Emporia State University National Teacher Certification Program boasts 100 percent certification rate | Courtesy of Shutterstock
Eleven educators recently earned their National Board certification, which represents the highest honor in the teaching profession, through an Emporia State University program that ran 2015-2016.

“This process of board certification is similar to how a doctor becomes certified in a special area,” Program Director Alvin Peters, who helps candidates as they work towards their national board certificates, said. “This is voluntary: no state, school district or program is demanding them to go through this process. That’s why — a decade after earning their certification the first time — it’s a huge commitment to say, ‘Yes, I want to do it again.’”

Emporia State’s National Teacher Certification program boasts a 100 percent renewal rate for teachers seeking recertification, with this year being the 12th consecutive that the program has maintained that record. Certification is an impressive accomplishment, requiring significant time and effort to achieve.

“National Board certification is a different kind of honor,” Peters said. “Teachers must submit extensive documentation of their instruction, including videos of their students at work in the classroom.”

This year’s program included nine K-12 educators: Janet Fancier, Jennifer Gessley, Donna Szymkowski, Paula Lane, Mary Williams, Terri Durgan, Dr. Deb Nauerth and Garie Jean Brownrigg. The class also included one school district administrator, Robert Compton, and one university professor, Dr. Heather Caswell.