Newest National Board Certified Teachers recognized

Kelsey Brewer, Monica Elmore and Kim Hartley – the school district’s newest National Board Certified Teachers – were recognized for their achievement by the Woodford County Board of Education Monday, Jan. 28.

Board Chair Ambrose Wilson IV pointed out that National Board Certification is the highest professional distinction available in education, and it benefits students and school systems.

Two of the three National Board Certified Teachers able to attend the school board meeting shared their experiences in earning the national certification.

“It was a lot of work, a lot of time and a lot of effort,” Hartley, a teacher at Huntertown Elementary School, said, “but it was rewarding…”

She said the process of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher allowed her to reflect on what she was already doing in the classroom and learn from watching a student’s growth.

“… I thought this would be an excellent way for me to kind of dig in and learn a little bit about my teaching style, learn a little bit about other people’s teaching styles,” said Elmore, a science teacher at Woodford County Middle School.

She said a lot of the expectations that are required to become a National Board Certified Teacher are already expected of teachers at WCMS.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment for our staff members, and is a culmination of a year of work and reflection on improving the educational practices in their classrooms,” schools Superintendent Scott Hawkins said.

Woodford County Public Schools now has 47 National Board Certified Teachers, “which is truly amazing,” he said.

“That means nearly 20 percent of our teaching staff now has achieved National Board Certification.”