Polk County Public Schools
Eleven Polk County teachers earned prestigious certification in 2009 from the Arlington-Va.-based National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
The school district began NBPTS certification programs in 1999 when 14 teachers became certified. Polk currently has a total of 326 active NBPTS certified teachers. According to NBPTS, national board certified teachers make up approximately 3 percent of the nation’s teaching force.
NBPTS candidates go through a rigorous, performance-based assessment that takes between one and three years to complete and includes intensive study, evaluation by experts, self-assessment and peer review. Through the process, they document deep knowledge of their subject area and demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. As part of the process, teachers build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, video and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching.
NBPTS certification, which is voluntary and not connected to required state certification, earns each teacher a pay bonus from the state of Florida for ten years. The amount of the bonus for the class of 2009 national board teachers will be determined by the state at a later date.
Further information on NBPTS certification is available from Annette Campbell, senior coordinator in the school district’s teacher professional development department, (863) 647-4278.
The 2009 class of National Board certified teachers from Polk schools is listed by school location. Their teaching area is also included in parentheses.
Bartow
Bartow High: Cheryl Maberry (library media specialist), Denise Young (English language arts).
James Stephens Elementary: Teresa Miller (generalist)
Davenport
Ridge Community High: Cathyrn Goble (social studies, history), Michael Harvie (social studies, history)
Lakeland
Dr. N.E. Roberts Elementary: Amy Jones (generalist)
Padgett Elementary: Elizabeth Ashmore (reading,language arts)
Traviss Career Center: Patricia Whigham (career and technical education)
Wendell Watson Elementary: Charissa Hanneken (generalist)
Winter Haven
Chain of Lakes Elementary: Jill Baird (generalist)
Westwood Middle: Sheila Grant (reading, language arts)
