Celebrating New CPS National Board Certified Teachers
Congratulations to our new National Board Certified Teachers
Class of 2018
As the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) went from a one year process to a two-year process we announce that 14 CTU members have earned our profession’s highest mark of achievement – NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION. 115 NBCTs have also Renewed their NBC credential. These teachers/librarians/school counselors join a growing community of National Board Certified Teachers, now more than 122,000 strong across all 50 states. Chicago has produced more than 2,260 of them. Each of these accomplished educators earned the profession’s highest mark of achievement through a rigorous, performance-based, peer-review process, demonstrating their proven impact on student learning and achievement. This is a great personal accomplishment, but it’s more than that–this accomplishment is reason to celebrate the impact Board Certified teachers have on millions of students nationwide and on the teaching profession at-large. The certification process impacts teaching and learning well beyond an individual teacher’s classroom. Teaching to the highest standards, NBCTs impact students every day: leading from their classrooms, mentoring colleagues, facilitating and directing school, district, and union initiatives, and working in higher education and professional associations to advocate for strong policy and practice.
The following National Board Certified Teachers have dedicated 2 years to the CTU’s rigorous Nurturing Teacher Leadership professional development and candidate support program during which time they analyzed, reflected on and refined their teaching practice and content knowledge, while demonstrating their mastery of the standards from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards that encompass their certificate. According to Peggy Brookins, NBCT, President of NBPTS, “National Board Certification is about helping teachers become great, it is about elevating the teaching profession, and it is about helping children achieve at higher rates.” A decade of research shows the impact of Board Certified teachers is even greater for low income and minority students.
“My fellow CTU Officers and I are so proud of how hard our newest NBCTs have worked to achieve this advanced certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. We recognize the significant impact our National Board Certified Teachers have on their students, colleagues, and on teaching and learning in our schools. I have seen firsthand how transformative this process has been for our teachers and their students. The CTU is honored that they have followed in the footsteps of our President Emerita Karen Lewis, NBCT. Their leadership has advanced the vision of CTU, the mission of CPS, and our profession as a whole. We look forward to continuing our partnership with CPS in support of National Board Certification. Congratulations to the class of 2018!
Jesse Sharkey, President of the Chicago Teachers Union
- Lisa Anderson, Northside Learning Center, Exceptional Needs Specialist: Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
- Menyett Baker, Simeon High School, School Counseling: Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
- Anna Deters, Hawthorne Scholastic Academy, Exceptional Needs Specialist: Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
- Heather Dunfee, Hyde Park Academy High School, Exceptional Needs Specialist: Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
- Neil Farlow, Taft High School, Exceptional Needs Specialist: Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
- Jessica General, Chalmers Specialty Elementary School, Exceptional Needs Specialist: Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
- Justin Huang, Jones College Preparatory High School, Mathematics: Adolescent and Young Adulthood
- Jennifer Jones, Stowe Elementary School, Early Childhood Generalist
- Heather Morrison, Disney II Magnet School, Exceptional Needs Specialist: Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
- Rachel Nicholas, Taft High School, Social Studies/History: Adolescent and Young Adulthood
- Elisabeth O’Keefe, Westinghouse College Prep, Mathematics: Adolescent and Young Adulthood
- Lorraine Platek, Little Village Elementary School, Mathematics: Early Adolescent
- Jonathan Reiman, Kenwood Academy High School, Art: Early Adolescent through Young Adulthood
- Caitlin Stich, Schurz High School, Art: Early Adolescent through Young Adulthood
National Board Certified Teachers have demonstrated that they are willing to go above and beyond to be experts in their field and practice. CPS wholeheartedly supports this partnership with CTU because I know it’s an investment in the people who are at the forefront of positive impact on our students – our teachers. Their dedication to their profession is changing the lives of students across Chicago Public Schools- and, for that, I am grateful. To the NBCT class of 2018, you exemplify the values of CPS and bring the vision for high-quality teaching and learning to life. Thank you for your dedication to the students of Chicago Public Schools! Congratulations!
Janice K. Jackson, CEO of Chicago Public Schools
For teachers, school counselors, and librarians who want more information on how to become National Board Certified earn the annual CPS stipend and advance on the salary scale (at no cost) please go to CTUF.org/NTL to register for the next NBC recruitment meeting or contact Lynn Cherkasky-Davis at 312-329-6274 or LynnCherkasky-Davis@ctuf.org.