Seven VVSD Teachers Achieve National Board Certification

Seven Valley teachers have achieved the coveted National Board Certification issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). 

first-grade teacher Susan Mercado, fifth-grade teacher Shawn Whall Aycock, and ’s Julie Ott (honors pre-calculus and geometry), Janel Klinetobe (11th and 12th grade English), Elizabeth Maguire (geometry), Aimee Rupsis (band) and Lawrence Fisher (choir, advanced placement music theory and musical keyboarding) all earned the honor.

"National Board Certification is synonymous with great teaching,” said Ronald Thorpe, president and CEO of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. “While our nation is focused on the need for the highest quality teachers, board certification truly is the gold standard."

Six are teaching at the schools at which they began their VVSD careers. Aycock came to B.J. Ward five years ago, while Mercado has spent seven at R.C. Hill in Romeoville. Fisher is in his sixth year, Rupsis in her ninth year, Maguire in her eighth year and Ott in her ninth year at BHS. Klinetobe taught bilingual science at Brooks Middle School for a year before moving to BHS in 2005.

NBCTS is recognized as the source for the highest standards and practices that lead to improved teaching, leading and learning. A voluntary assessment program designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers, and to embed ongoing school improvement in schools nationwide, National Board Certification is achieved through performance-based assessment and testing that takes one to three years to complete.

While state teacher credentialing programs set the basic requirements to teach in each state, National Board Certified Teachers must demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. Completion of the NBPTS certification process signifies that teachers have developed and demonstrated the skills required of an accomplished education professional.

"These highly qualified teachers are true nation builders and are positioned to lead the ground-up movement necessary to help students reach their full potential,” said Former West Virginia Governor Bob Wise, who chairs the NBPTS.

All seven will be honored before the VVSD Board of Education on Jan. 9.