Mid-Hudson Valley Teachers Earn Prestigious National Credential

MID-HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Two teachers from the Arlington school district and one from the Wappingers school district have earned one of the nation’s most prestigious credentials for excellence in teaching, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards announced this week. They are among 118 New York teachers, including 15 from the Hudson Valley, who have just earned National Board Certification.

Research shows that promoting excellence in teaching directly benefits students in the classroom, helping prepare them to thrive.

“Even in a teaching force as highly skilled as New York’s, these 118 teachers deserve praise for what they have accomplished,” said New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta. “They have voluntarily embraced a real challenge – proving to an independent board that they have mastered the ‘art of teaching.’ They are our newest standard-bearers for the profession and ambassadors for teaching excellence. Everyone at NYSUT congratulates them on this achievement.”

In the Hudson Valley, the new National Board Certified Teachers are:

• Allison Lauchaire, Arlington School District
• Kathleen Spinelli, Arlington School District
• Jason Fidler. Brewster School District
• Jessica McCann, Brewster School District
• Kate Simmons, Brewster School District
• Susan Ardolino, Croton-Harmon School District
• Wendy Armstrong, Croton-Harmon School District
• Marisa Gendron, Croton-Harmon School District
• Dawn Giordano, Croton-Harmon School District
• Jennifer Rescigno, Croton-Harmon School District
• Lauren Scollins, Croton-Harmon School District
• Michelle Campbell, Hastings-on-Hudson School District
• Katharine Magnatta, Hastings-on-Hudson School District
• Robert Lathrop III, Putnam Valley School District
• Jennifer Garrison, Wappingers Central School District

Through national board certification, teachers voluntarily demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skills to further advance student learning. Teachers who successfully achieve national certification must demonstrate mastery of teaching; show the effect of their teaching on students; prove knowledge of their subject area; have an ability to manage and measure student learning; and reach out to parents and the community.

Research has indicated that students taught by nationally certified teachers show increased learning by an additional one to two months of instruction, with the effect magnified for minority and poor students.

The 118 teachers who earned national certification from the Virginia-based National Board for Professional Teaching Standards brings to 1,912 the number of New York teachers who have earned this prestigious credential. In addition, 31 teachers renewed their national certification this year, NYSUT officials said.

The union assists national board candidates by offering awareness programs, support and advice through on-line discussion forums, conferences and professional development through its Education & Learning Trust. The union works with Teacher Centers to support candidates through the challenging board-certification process.

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