In a significant endorsement of educational excellence, several educators from Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) have recently achieved or renewed their National Board Certification, a prestigious designation from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). This certification is widely regarded as a hallmark of exceptional teaching, highlighting the educators’ commitment to high standards of professional practice.
National Board Certification is not just a title; it is a rigorous assessment process that evaluates teachers on their proficiency and effectiveness in the classroom. Candidates for this certification undergo a comprehensive review that includes the submission of a portfolio, student work samples, video recordings of their teaching, and a detailed analysis of their instructional strategies and their impact on student learning. Additionally, they must complete a series of written assessments that delve into their mastery of the subject matter and their pedagogical skills.
The recent cohort of CCPS educators who have attained this esteemed certification exemplifies a diverse and skilled group committed to educational excellence across a range of disciplines and grade levels:
- Kelly Bryant, a CASE teacher at Maurice J. McDonough High School.
- Jordan Combs, a special education teacher at William A. Diggs Elementary School.
- A’leese Dickerson, an English teacher at North Point High School.
- Amanda Gilbert, a fourth-grade teacher at Dr. James Craik Elementary School.
- Matthew Howard, a social studies teacher at St. Charles High School.
- Kelly Lundeen, a third-grade teacher at Craik.
- Daniel Meltsner, a computer teacher at John Hanson Middle School.
- Teonna Scott, a reading interventionist at Hanson.
- Paige Serpone, a mathematics teacher at North Point.
- Brooke Shnipes, an English teacher at La Plata High School.
- Mary E. Smith, a prekindergarten teacher at Indian Head Elementary School.
- Jessica Tompkins, a social studies teacher at Matthew Henson Middle School.
- Sheila White, a second-grade teacher at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School.
Furthermore, several teachers have successfully renewed their National Board Certification, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to professional growth and excellence in teaching. This renewal process, which occurs every ten years with an option for maintenance of certification in five-year intervals, ensures that teachers remain at the forefront of educational best practices. The educators achieving renewal include:
- Laura Buzzell, a content specialist for high school mathematics.
- Casey Cleary, a mathematics teacher at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School.
- Juliana Herscher, a first-grade teacher at T.C. Martin Elementary School.
- Lynn Hopkins, a language arts teacher at Piccowaxen Middle School.
- Sonia Matthew, Ed.D., an assistant principal at Mary B. Neal Elementary School.
- Tiffany Rybarczyk, a prekindergarten teacher at the Early Learning Center in La Plata.
- Monica Strobel, a language arts teacher at Milton M. Somers Middle School.
Maryland is recognized as one of the top ten states for National Board Certified Teachers, boasting 3,673 certified educators in 2023. This achievement underscores the state’s commitment to advancing educational quality and professional development in schools. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future further supports this initiative by offering salary incentives and advancement opportunities for teachers pursuing NBCT designation, directly benefiting students through improved teaching standards.
For more information on the National Board Certification process and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, interested educators can visit NBPTS and the Blueprint website.
