CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- The number of local teachers interested in taking steps towards national certification is growing.
In its report to the Cleveland and Bradley County school boards on Thursday, the Bradley-Cleveland Public Education Foundation said 25 teachers have completed the first step, what is called "Take One" in the program, since January.
"Nine of those 25 have indicated to us they want to work towards full certification, and we are working to financially support the process," foundation Executive Director Lynn Voelz said.
She said she signed a contract Thursday with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to allow 40 more teachers to enter Take One for 2010-2011.
A new foundation website includes a link for applying to the program and for foundation minigrants for teachers to use in classroom projects.
Dr. Rodney Fitzgerald, secretary/treasurer for the foundation's executive committee, said the main factor in children's success "is to have a successful, confident, person at the head of the classroom."
"This is going to kick that up a notch, and it's all done through this foundation," he said.
WHAT IS IT?The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards offers advanced training leading to certification that complements but does not replace a state's teacher license, according to nbpts.org
Executive Committee President Chari Buckner said the foundation has created five committees to support the two school systems and has filled positions on three of them.
The committees help the foundation deal directly with the systems on issues such as donors and grant applications.
Mr. Fitzgerald said the foundation's financial standing is solid, with support from trustees, committee members, teachers and private donations. But he said he would like to see it become self-sustaining.
"I just believe there will be a day, if I live long enough, when I see that," he said.