Two Lake Washington School District (LWSD) teachers achieved National Board Certification, as announced by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). One of those teachers is Muir Elementary’s Kacie Morison, who received her National Board Certification as a Generalist, Middle Childhood.

In addition to the two newly certified teachers, 13 teachers renewed their certification this year. That makes a total of 15 teachers completing the process. Certifications must be renewed every 10 years.

Teachers in Kirkland renewing their certification include:

• Finn Hill Middle School: Marc Clauson – Science, Adolescence and Young Adulthood

• Juanita High School:David Friedman – Math, Adolescence and Young Adulthood

• Juanita High School: Mary Lewis – Math, Adolescence and Young Adulthood

• Juanita High School: Greg Shelton – Career & Technical Education, Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood

• Kamiakin Middle School: Kristin Dougherty – Science, Early Adolescence

• Kirkland Middle School: Carol Hinrichs – School Counseling, Early Childhood through Young Adulthood

• Kirk Elementary: Gerald Romano – Generalist, Early Childhood

• Muir Elementary: Cynthia Cantwell – Literacy: Reading-Language Arts, Early and Middle Childhood

• Muir Elementary: Kathleen Fleming – Literacy: Reading-Language Arts, Early and Middle Childhood

Teachers from around the district completed the process.

Across the country, fewer teachers were certified this year because the National Board started transitioning to a new certification process in 2014. Because it can take up to three years to earn certification, the NBCTs announced this year have been using the process in place prior to 2014.

According to NBPTS, 270 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) working in Lake Washington Schools have earned their certification. National Board certification is considered the highest professional credential a teacher can obtain.

“We are pleased to have so many teachers accomplish and sustain this significant level of excellence,” said LWSD Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce. “The National Board Certification process helps teachers ensure academic success for students by analyzing every area of their teaching practice.”

The National Board certification takes teachers through a demanding process. It typically takes more than a year to complete. It requires teachers to demonstrate how their work improves student achievement. As part of the process, teachers build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, videotapes and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. Teachers also are assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach.

Numbers released by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards show the state of Washington is fourth overall in the number of national board certified teachers in the country at 8,596. Washington had the most candidates nationwide at 19 percent.

Each teacher achieves certification in a subject area and age range.