You said it

NEA Today, Apr 1999 by Fischer, Bill

Our February cover story about National Board certification reminded me of our first big NEA Today article on national certification back in 1994, when the idea of National Board recognition for teachers was just starting to become a reality.

Our December issue that year featured several NEA members waiting to hear whether they had passed the very first assessment administered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. (They all, it turned out, did.)

Among the very first to win national certification were New Mexico teachers Sue Strasia and Evelyn Sanchez, who recently wrote NEA Today about their experiences.

Five years ago, the two Rio Rancho elementary teachers explained, they didn't know one another. Then they spent a year of intensive work together, which led to their national certificates.

That experience totally sold Strasia and Sanchez on the value of the national certification process, and the two are now tireless recruiters and advocates for the National Board.

Thanks to their efforts, another 23 teachers from their district have gone through the certification process. Of these, 18 have become nationally certified.

Strasia and Sanchez have personally mentored nine teachers. Eight of the nine have passed, and Rio Rancho could soon have at least one nationally certified teacher in nine of the district's 10 schools.

Going through national certification, Strasia and Sanchez feel strongly, helps teachers develop new confidence in themselvesand respect for their practice.

Even more important, they point out, is the impact on students. Learning in Rio Rancho has blossomed as teachers have implemented the ideas and strategies they've refined through the certification process.

The quickest way to find out more about national certification? Check the Web at www.nbpts.org.