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471 educators in JCPS have obtained the highest possible certification in the teaching profession
By Toni Konz Tatman | JCPS Communications
A total of 53 Jefferson County Public Schools teachers obtained the highest possible certification in the teaching profession in 2017, according to new data released this week by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
"Congratulations to each of these talented, accomplished educators who are truly committed to their profession and to their students,” said JCPS Acting Superintendent Marty Pollio. “Obtaining National Board Certification is a lengthy, rigorous and voluntary process that, at the end of the day, provides a direct benefit to children in the classroom. Our National Board Certified teachers love their jobs—and they’re really, really good at them.”
There are now 471 nationally board certified teachers across the district.
The road to obtaining National Board Certification is difficult -- the process involves hundreds of hours of work and can take up to three years of commitment. It's also costly -- teachers pay approximately $2,000, although under a new contract agreement between JCPS and the Jefferson County Teachers Association, the district will reimburse up to 60 percent of that cost upon successful completion.
Teachers must submit a detailed portfolio that includes examples of student work, an outline of what teachers have done outside of the classroom to improve student achievement and video recordings that show how they teach and interact with students. In addition, they must submit a reflective piece on student assessment and learning and then take a rigorous exam to demonstrate they have mastered the content of their chosen certification area.
Certification is offered in 25 different content areas and age ranges. Successful completion provides a bump in annual salary, plus a $2,000 annual salary supplement as long as they stay certified and continue to teach in their content area.
Officials say the success rate for certification varies from year to year, but about half of those who seek certification in the first year receive it.
These are the teachers in JCPS who obtained National Board Certification in 2017:
Kayla Adams, Kenwood Elementary School
Mary-Adele Allison, Shacklette Elementary School
Rebecca Ames, Jeffersontown Elementary School
Kimberly Beckman, Eisenhower Elementary School
April Board, Binet School
Jill Breitenstein, Fern Creek Elementary School
Paige Buckwalter (Barber), Coral Ridge Elementary School
Kristie Covington, Jeffersontown Elementary School
Jennifer Dowdy, Klondike Elementary School
Michael Duncan, Fern Creek Elementary School
Tiffany Dunn, Lassiter Middle School
Roberta Dunn (Heidorf), Kenwood Elementary School
Megan Fleming, Breckinridge-Franklin Elementary School
Susan Fraser, Jeffersontown High School
Tina Gardner, Wheeler Elementary School
Melissa Goodall, Eastern High School
Mary Catherine Graham, Seneca High School
Jonathan Graham, Seneca High School
Heather Gray (Pickle), Wilt Elementary School
Rebecca Gunther, Auberndale Elementary School
Angela Haverstock, Wilt Elementary School
Molly Hazel-Skrodenis, Louisville Male High School
Rebecca Hickey, Trunnell Elementary School
Keith Highley, Fairdale Elementary School
Linda Jessee, Wilder Elementary School
Jessica Kaelin, Wilder Elementary School
Erin Kenney, Fern Creek High School
Daniel Kim, Louisville Male High School
Niki King, Engelhard Elementary School
Torri Martin, J. Graham Brown School
Jodi Meier, Breckinridge-Franklin Elementary School
Jennifer Miescke, ESL Resource Teacher
Kirstin Miller, ESL Newcomer Academy
Amy Moore, Engelhard Elementary School
Emily Munson, Norton Commons Elementary School
Kelly O'Riley, Western Middle School
Abigail Palof, Meyzeek Middle School
Neha Patel, St. Matthews Elementary School
Laura Peavley, Westport Middle School
Benjamin Powell, Jefferson County Traditional Middle School
Katlyn Raderstorf, Carter Traditional Elementary School
Heather Ransom, Auburndale Elementary School
Megan Reedy, Dunn Elementary School
Brandon Riddle, Seneca High School
Mary Brooke Schultz, Trunnell Elementary School
Amy Senior (Clifford), Atkinson Elementary School
Dawn Sexton, Watterson Elementary School
Heather Sharp, Conway Middle School
Amy Smith, Carter Traditional Elementary School
Susan Spencer, Cochran Elementary School
Shelley Taylor, Stopher Elementary School
Shelley Williams, Blue Lick Elementary School
Kara Young, Barret Traditional Middle School
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