7 Plainfield Teachers Earn National Board Certification

PLAINFIELD, IL — Seven current and former District 202 teachers have earned certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), widely

considered to be the highest professional recognition for educators.

National Board certification is a rigorous, voluntary assessment program designed to both recognize excellent teachers, and help them improve.

Earning certification this year are:

• Janine Dwyer – First Grade, Lincoln Elementary School
• Traci Gornick – Seventh Grade Math/Honors, Aux Sable Middle School
• Kathryn Intorp – Learning Resource Director, Ira Jones Middle School
• Brad Lofgren -- Fourth Grade Honors, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
• Andrea Medina – Seventh Grade Language Arts, Ira Jones Middle School
• Michelle Schade – Sixth Grade Math, formerly of Indian Trail Middle School
• Jackie Seeman – Sixth Grade Math/Science, Aux Sable Middle School

These teachers are among 926 educators in Illinois, and 5,470 nationally to earn NBPTS certification this year. There are now 118,000 NBPTS-certified teachers nationwide, including 6,373 in Illinois.

NBPTS certification typically takes from one to three years to achieve. Candidates must successfully demonstrate advanced and in-depth teaching knowledge, skills and practices.

They must build a portfolio demonstrating their professional acumen, including student work samples, assignments, videotapes and a complete analysis of their classroom teaching. As well, candidates are tested on the subject that they teach.

“National Board certification requires a tremendous amount of work, dedication and classroom skill and expertise,” said District 202 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lane Abrell.

“We are very proud of all of these wonderful educators and applaud them for their achievement,” Abrell said.

Twenty-four current or former District 202 teachers have achieved NBPTS certification. About 20 District 202 teachers continue to work toward certification.

Photos and article submitted by District 202.

Photos:

• Top row: Andrea Medina (left), Brad Lofgren, Jackie Seeman
• Bottom row: Janine Dwyer (left), Kathryn Intorp, Tracie Gornick (not pictured: Michelle Schade)