Fourteen Charles County Public Schools educators recently achieved National Board Certification, the profession’s highest voluntary credential, demonstrating their mastery in teaching and commitment to student success. The certifications were awarded in December 2025 by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), an independent nonprofit organization.
The newly certified teachers span various grade levels, subjects, and schools across Charles County, Maryland. They include:
- Julie Andrews, adolescence and young adulthood/chemistry, science teacher at La Plata High School.
- Jennifer Benson, early adolescence through young adulthood, art teacher at Thomas Stone High School.
- Jessi Blevins, early childhood, kindergarten teacher at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School.
- Amanda Dominelli, early childhood through young adulthood/mild and moderate disabilities, special education teacher at Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School.
- Maria Farnham, early childhood, kindergarten teacher at Mary H. Matula Elementary School.
- Patrice Fenwick, early childhood through young adulthood/mild and moderate disabilities, special education teacher at J.P. Ryon Elementary School.
- Natalie Finch-Howard, adolescence and young adulthood, social studies teacher at Westlake High School.
- Antonia Gibbs, early childhood, prekindergarten teacher at Eva Turner Elementary School.
- Jennifer Pruckner, middle childhood, fifth-grade teacher at William A. Diggs Elementary School.
- Milinda Ruehl, early childhood, English language development teacher at Westlake.
- Tessa Thomas, early adolescence, social studies teacher at Mattawoman Middle School.
- April Thompson, early adolescence, social studies teacher at Milton M. Somers Middle School.
- Brittany Thorne, middle childhood, third-grade teacher at Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School.
- Leah Whetzel, adolescence and young adulthood, science teacher at North Point High School.
To attain this designation, teachers complete a rigorous process involving four components: content knowledge, differentiation in instruction, teaching practices and learning environment, and effective reflective practice. Candidates submit three written portfolios featuring classroom videos, student work samples, and detailed reflections on planning, instruction, and professional contributions. They also complete a computer-based assessment that evaluates deep subject mastery and its application to advance student learning.
National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) are recognized as experts and often tapped for leadership roles in their schools. In Charles County Public Schools, they receive an additional annual salary stipend. The district now counts 75 nationally board-certified teachers among its staff.
This achievement aligns with broader trends in Maryland, where 1,435 educators earned certification in 2025, positioning the state as the national leader in new NBCTs. State incentives under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future provide salary increases of $10,000 for NBCTs, plus up to $7,000 more for those in low-performing schools, supporting recruitment and retention of accomplished educators.
