The Shelby County Board of Education recently recognized eight new National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT). This accomplishment is a testament to these educators’ work ethic, professionalism, and dedication to student achievement.

National Board Certification is a voluntary teaching credential, which goes beyond state licensure. It focuses on advanced standards for all teachers – what they should know and be able to accomplish in their classrooms.  It is a lengthy and rigorous process where candidates have to demonstrate accomplished practice in four components – content knowledge, differentiation in instruction, teaching practice and learning environment, and being an effective and reflective practitioner. The content knowledge component is a computer-based exam taken at a testing center, while the other three components are shown through portfolios of work submitted by the candidates.

“During these challenging times, these teachers overcame barriers related to the pandemic to achieve this monumental national honor,” said Dr. Angela Walker, Coordinator of Instruction.

According to Walker, Coordinator of Instruction, the recent success of these Shelby County teachers to earn national board certification is credited to additional support the district is now giving candidates who are willing to go through the process. This includes support from the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation, which provides funding for each candidate to participate in an NBCT Mentor program through the University of Montevallo In-Service Center.

Additionally, the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation provides a $475 competitive grant to assist with the financial aspects of the process, which costs about $1,900 to complete in its entirety.  The Education Foundation awards four grants – one to the teacher who submits the overall top-scoring grant proposal, as well as the three top-scoring teachers from the elementary, middle, and high school grade spans.

The district also provides three days of professional development, along with technology resources, to assist candidates who are going through the process.

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Congratulations to the following teachers on achieving NBCT status:

• Margaret Blankenship – Helena High School
• Amanda Gallups – Oak Mountain High School
• Elizabeth Howard – Chelsea Middle School
• Kristal Lawrence – Shelby Elementary School
• Kylee Mitchell – Calera High School
• Hollie Patridge – Columbiana Middle School
• Debora Shipman – Oak Mountain High School
• Rita Sparks – Helena Intermediate School