MOORESTOWN, N.J., Jan. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Knowles Teacher
Initiative today announced that nine of its Fellows achieved
National Board Certification, an advanced teaching credential. The
newly certified teachers are among the first group to certify under
a redesigned assessment that was administered by the National Board
for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
Built upon National Board Standards and the Five Core
Propositions, National Board Certification involves completion of a
rigorous, performance-based, peer-review process. The certification
process requires candidates to submit a portfolio that contains
evidence of differentiation in instruction, student engagement, and
their ability to act as an effective and reflective practitioner.
Additionally, content knowledge must be demonstrated through
completion of a computer-based assessment. To achieve
certification, candidates must demonstrate a proven impact on
student learning and achievement.
"The Knowles Teacher Initiative is committed to supporting
teachers in their efforts to improve education for all students in
the United States," stated
Nicole Gillespie, Knowles Executive
Director. "Our mission and values are closely aligned with those of
the NBPTS. As such, we believe that providing our Fellows with
financial assistance and mentoring to achieve certification is a
high-leverage investment in the teaching
profession."
The Knowles Teaching Fellowship is an intensive and cohesive,
five-year program that supports early-career, high school
mathematics and science teachers in their efforts to develop
teaching expertise and lead from the classroom. Knowles Fellows are supported in their efforts
to become Board-certified teachers. Specifically, Knowles Fellows are eligible for financial
assistance and writing support, as well as participation in
one-on-one and group meetings that are led by a National Board
Certified Knowles Fellow. "I gained tremendous insight into my
teaching practice as I prepared my portfolio for submission,"
commented Alison Espinosa, the
NBPTS-trained Candidate Support Provider who led the most recent
Knowles support group. "I further strengthened my teaching practice
as I provided support and guidance to other teachers on their
journey to achieving National Board Certification."
The following Knowles Fellows
achieved National Board Certification in December 2017:
- Ben Buehler, Yorktown High
School, Yorktown, Indiana
- Victor Chen, Lee M. Thurston High School, Redford, Michigan
- Brittany Franckowiak, Wilde Lake
High School, Columbia,
Maryland
- Heather Hotchkiss, Robert E. Lee High School, Springfield, Virginia
- Alex Lester, Washington-Lee High
School, Arlington, Virginia
- Laura Nutter, Bullis School, Potomac, Maryland
- Tara Palomares, Sandia High School, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Cacia Steensen, Centaurus High
School, Lafayette, Colorado
- Jessica Watts, John Paul II High
School, Plano, Texas
Nationwide, more than 118,000 teachers have achieved National
Board Certification, including 35 Knowles Fellows.
About the Knowles Teacher Initiative
The Knowles Teacher Initiative, a 501(c)(3) non-profit formerly
known as the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KSTF), was
established by Janet H. and C. Harry Knowles in 1999 to increase
the number of high quality high school science and mathematics
teachers in the United States. Through the Teaching Fellows
Program, Senior Fellows Program and the Knowles Academy, the
Knowles Teacher Initiative seeks to support a national network of
mathematics and science teachers who are collaborative, innovative
leaders improving education for all students in the United States.
For more information, visit https://www.knowlesteachers.org/.
Media Contact
Ebony Freeman
Knowles Teacher Initiative
856.608.0001, ext. 7029
189197@email4pr.com
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SOURCE Knowles Teacher Initiative