The new National Board Certified teachers are:
Melanie Atchley -Battle Academy
Terri Bailey -Ooltewah Elementary
Courtney Baker -Battle Academy
Kristen Knight Burrus -CSAS Upper
Shane Harwood -Nolan Elementary
Michelle Hassler -East Lake, Big Ridge, and Westview Elementary
Diane Hitchcock -Snow Hill Elementary
Sandra Howard -Chattanooga High School
Erin Jaynes -Hixson High School
Michelle Krupke -Snow Hill Elementary and STEM
Gwendolyn Lawson -Hixson High School
Jeff Paulson -Thrasher Elementary
Twelve Hamilton County teachers from a variety of disciplines earned National Board certification in December, according to a news release.
The certification is awarded by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and is the highest credential in the teaching profession. It requires a rigorous, performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete and measures what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do, the release states.
Teachers must build portfolios that include student work samples, assignments, videotapes and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. They also are assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach.
Hamilton County has established a support system for certification candidates through the schools system, the county education association and the Chattanooga Area Schools Federal Credit Union with funds from Race to the Top and the National Education Association Foundation.