Board Certification
Twenty-one teachers from Akron Public Schools have been recognized for successfully completing the rigorous requirements for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification. National Board Certification, a voluntary process developed by teachers and other education stakeholders, is achieved through an extensive year-long series of performance-based assessments, including portfolios of student work, videotapes and rigorous analyses of their classroom teaching. Visit the links below to see each teacher's NBPTS information and thumbnail photograph, which can be clicked to view the full-sized photo.

Barbara Baltrinic	David Gilbert	Maria Newman	Lori Villanova
Tammy Brady	Patricia Gonzalez	Mary Olson	Judith White
Pamela Cicora	Judith Harrison	Lisa O'Rourke	Robyn Zinn
Jodie Coffey	Kristen Hawkins	Cristine Pace
Nicki Embly	Carolyn Justice	Kathleen Shippy
Nora Flanagan	Christine Milcetich	Denise Sparks

	Barbara Baltrinic School: Ellet High School Subject/Grade: English/Grades 10-12 National Board Certification in: Adolescent/Young Adult, English Language Arts Achieved in: 1999
Barbara's comments: "While the National Board process is a time commitment, the end result is better teaching and better student learning."

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	Tammy Brady School: Harris Elementary School Subject/Grade: Developmentally Handicapped National Board Certification in: Early Childhood/Young Adulthood, Exceptional Needs Specialist Achieved in: 2001
Tammy's comments: "I found the National Board Certification process to be the most challenging endeavor of my life. For one year, I was consumed with evaluating myself and my teaching practice. It helped me to focus and make positive changes that will hopefully impact my students and their learning."

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Pamela Cicora School: Hatton Elementary School Subject/Grade: Kindergarten National Board Certification in: Early Childhood, Generalist Achieved in: 1999

Pamela's comments: "The National Board Certification process has challenged me to continually evaluate my educational philosophy about how young children learn best through the use of a variety of developmentally appropriate lessons and assessments; the significance of integrating the curriculum; and the importance of working together with the family, community and school staff to ensure that each child reaches their optimal learning potential and develops a love of learning."

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	Jodie Coffey School: Harris Elementary School Subject/Grade: Kindergarten National Board Certification in: Early Childhood, Generalist Achieved in: 2001
Jodie's comments: "The National Board process has rejuvenated my teaching practice. It reminds me to maintain a high standard in my classroom and has strengthened my home-school communication."

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	Nicki Embly School: Jennings Middle School Subject/Grade: Principal National Board Certification in: Early Childhood, Generalist Achieved in: 1997
Nicki's comments: "National Board Certification is a natural extension of the professional development of any educator and is an affirmation to the quality of education our students are receiving in a variety of classrooms."

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Nora Flanagan School: Pfeiffer Elementary School Subject/Grade: Kindergarten National Board Certification in: Early Childhood, Generalist Achieved in: 2001

Nora's comments: "Pursuing National Board Certification gave me the opportunity to reflect on my instructional practices. My teaching has been forever changed as I enriched my curriculum to meet the needs of all the learners in my classroom and assessed the appropriateness of my teaching decisions for each student. I believe that every educator can benefit from going through the process; and, as a result, so do their students and colleagues. Maya Angelou sums it up well: 'When we know better, we do better.' "

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	David Gilbert School: Fairlawn Elementary School Subject/Grade: Intermediate Special Education National Board Certification in: Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Exceptional Needs Specialist Achieved in: 2002
David's comments: "National Board has taught me the importance of what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. The process helped me focus on my teaching style and how I produce deeper outcomes for my students. I feel that having quality teachers is necessary for student learning."

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	Patricia Gonzalez School: King Elementary School Subject/Grade: Grade K National Board Certification in: Early Childhood/Generalist Achieved in: 2003
Patricia's comments: "The process of applying for National Board certification has been an affirmation that one should never stop learning. Knowing about my students' background and learning styles as well as learning as much as I can from my peers and other professionals is vital for maximum student achievement. I now reflect on each child each day and make the necessary changes."

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	Judith Harrison School: Firestone High School: Campus for International Baccalaureate and Visual & Performing Arts Subject/Grade: English/Grades 10 and 12; and Advanced Placement National Board Certification in: Adolescent/Young Adult, English Language Arts Achieved in: 2005
Judith's comments: "The National Board process, as a challenging professional development experience, encouraged me to reflect critically on the interface of my teaching methods and student learning. It allowed me to demonstrate my dedication to the students that I serve and my profession."

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	Kristen Hawkins School: Harris Elementary School Subject/Grade: Grade 3 National Board Certification in: Literacy – Early and Middle Childhood, Reading/Language Arts Achieved in: 2005
Kristen's comments: "The National Board process has advanced my quality of teaching and learning. I acknowledge the high and rigorous standards that accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. Validating my teaching practices helps my commitment to improve student learning and connecting with the school community."

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	Carolyn Justice School: Miller South School for the Visual & Performing Arts Subject/Grade: Grades 7-8 National Board Certification in: Early Adolescent, Mathematics Achieved in: 2000
Carolyn's comments: "Obtaining my National Board of Professional Teachers Certification gave me the opportunity to reflect on many of the activities I do in my classroom. It also helped to build confidence in my teaching knowledge and ability. I will continue to use my NB experiences for many years to come, enabling me to become an even better teacher."

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	Christine Milcetich School: Firestone High School: Campus for International Baccalaureate and Visual & Performing Arts Subject/Grade: Advanced Placement Physics, Honors Physics, International Baccalaureate Physics/Grades 11-12 National Board Certification in: Adolescent/Young Adult, Science Achieved in: 2000
Christine's comments: "The National Board process enabled me to reflect on my teaching, explain how my teaching practices affect the learning of each of my students and how my teaching incorporates the National Science Standards. This process was challenging and rewarding; and, through it, I grew professionally and personally."

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	Maria Newman School: Garfield High School Subject/Grade: Art National Board Certification in: Early Adolescent/Young Adult, Art Achieved in: 2003
Maria's comments: "I believe my accomplishment for achieving National Board Certification can best be summarized through the motto by John Cotton Dana: 'Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.' The National Board Certification process gave me the opportunity to discover and learn the importance of my teaching and its effects on the students learning."

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	Mary Olson School: Curriculum and Instruction Subject/Grade: Staff Development National Board Certification in: Early Childhood, Generalist Achieved in: 1997
Mary's comments: "This certification is a validation of accomplished teaching that is taking place in the classroom and a testament of the highest professional development on a personal level."

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	Lisa O'Rourke School: Leggett Elementary School Subject/Grade: Grade 1 National Board Certification in: Literacy – Early and Middle Childhood, Reading/Language Arts Achieved in: 2006
Lisa's comments: "I think that the Boards process takes your teaching to new levels, mainly through evaluation and enrichment of your classroom practices. Overall, it is a demanding and valuable experience."

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	Cristine Pace School: Case Elementary School Subject/Grade: Grade 2 National Board Certification in: Early Childhood, Generalist Achieved in: 1999
Cristine's comments: "This certification has allowed me to become a reflective teacher, identifying philosophies and methods to meet the needs of every learner in my classroom."

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	Kathleen Shippy School: Findley Academy Subject/Grade: Grade 3 National Board Certification in: Middle Childhood, Generalist Achieved in: 1999
Kathleen's comments: "The certification process was the most challenging and rewarding professional endeavor I have undertaken, and those significant rewards are revisited daily in my relationships with my students and colleagues."

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	Denise Sparks School: Roswell Kent Middle School Subject/Grade: Career Prep National Board Certification in: Early Adolescent/Young Adult, Career and Technical Education Achieved in: 2000
Denise's comments: "The National Board process has allowed me to define and refine my teaching. I am proud to represent Akron Public Schools in this endeavor."

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	Lori Villanova School: David Hill Elementary School Subject/Grade: Grade 4 National Board Certification in: Middle Childhood, Generalist Achieved in: 2005
Lori's comments: "The process of National Board Certification has challenged me to constantly reflect on what I do each day. The process was difficult but extremely rewarding for me and my students in the end."

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(No picture available)	Judith White School: Firestone High School Subject/Grade: Honors English Literature, English Literature/Grade 11 and International Baccalaureate/Grades 11-12 National Board Certification in: Young Adult, English/Language Arts Achieved in: 2000
Judith's comments: "I feel like earning the National Board Certification was a major achievement in my academic career. It not only improved my teaching but gave me the opportunity to evaluate my students in a more reflective manner. We all gained from the process!"

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	Roybn Zinn School: Rimer Elementary School Subject/Grade: Grade 2 National Board Certification in: Middle Childhood, Generalist Achieved in: 2002
Robyns comments: "The National Board Certification process is both challenging and rewarding. It is one of the best professional development opportunities for teachers who are seeking to enrich the lives of their students. It is vital for Akron Public Schools to attract teachers who are Nationally Board Certified."

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