Published: May 02, 2008 12:36 pm      

Byng educators are certifiable

19 educators at Byng have obtained national certification

Byng Public Schools has 19 National Board Certified Teachers. Six of the teachers are from Homer Elementary, one from Francis Early Childhood, one teacher from Byng Elementary and Byng High School and 10 teachers from Byng Junior High School.

National Board Certified teachers are highly accomplished educators who meet high and rigorous standards. National Board Certification is designed to recognize and reward great teachers and make them better.

“The National Board Certification process has given me a great sense of accomplishment and has motivated me to continue to set higher standards for myself and my students,” Byng Junior High teacher Lynne White said.

“I believe National Board Certification validates and improves quality teaching and learning,” fellow junior high teacher Deborah Cornelison said.

Oklahoma is ranked 9th in the nation with over 2000 National Board Certified Teachers. Oklahoma NBC teachers receive a $5,000 yearly stipend for 10 years. They are eligible for a renewable process after 10 years.

Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous criteria through intensive study, self-assessment, peer review, and evaluation.

The process of becoming nationally certified includes building a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, videotapes and thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. Additionally, teachers perform a complex assessment of their knowledge of the subject that they teach.

This intensive process measures and improves the teachers' abilities in the classroom, advances student learning, and makes schools better.

“It was by far the best professional opportunity I have taken advantage of as it made me reflect upon my practices and therefore continually make appropriate and beneficial changes for my students,” Byng teacher Leahna West said. “I continue to encourage other teachers to pursue this outstanding opportunity knowing that they will benefit greatly from the experience.”

“Achieving national board certification has been the most meaningful experience I’ve had as an educator. The process prompted me to carefully reflect on my practices and measure them against national standards,” teacher Vicki Dallen said. “It also provided an opportunity to collaborate with some amazing educators. The process greatly impacted my teaching, and as a result, my students’ learning.”

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wFollowing is a brief description of each of the nationally certified teachers in the Byng school system:

wChristi Boggs acheived national certification in Generalist and Early Childhood in 2004. She is a second grade teacher and has been in education for 15 years.

wSecond grade teacher Beverly Rinehart was certified as a middle childhood generalist in 2005. She teaches math, reading, phonics, science and social studies. She has been an educator for 23 years.

wSusan Johnson, who has taught for 13 years, currently teaches kindergarten at Homer Elementary. She was certified as in early childhood generalist in 2005.

wDorothy Lancaster teaches Kindergarten at Homer. She was certified in early childhood generalist in 2003. She has taught in public education for 21 years and 13 years in private pre-school education.

wJeanna Scroggins obtained national certification in early adolescence and English language arts in 2007. She currently teaches seventh-grade English at Byng Junior High. She has taught for 15 years.

wVicki Dallen, the principal at Homer Elementary, was certified in early childhood generalist in 2002. She has been involved in education for 16 years.

wLisa Souza, the ninth grade English teacher at Byng Junior High, obtained certification in 2005 in early adolescent and language arts. She has taught for 12 years.

wElizabeth Smith, who has taught for 15 years is certified in early adolesence and English language arts. She obtained her certification in 2006 and currently teaches seventh grade reading.

wDeborah Cornelison was certified in Adolescent and Young Adulthood Science in 1999. She has taught for 23 years and currently teaches physical science to the ninth grade.

wLeahna West is certified in Early Adolescence, Young Adulthood and world languages other than English. She teaches Spanish I and II for the high school and has taught for 15 years.

wLinda Lancaster is certified in early childhood adolescence generalist as of 2002. She currently teaches seventh grade math and has taught for 22 years.

wJan Sturdevant has been involved in education for 34 years. She teaches Algebra I at Byng schools; she obtained adolescece and young adulthood mathematics certification in 2003.

wJudy Schallhorn has been involved in education for 28 years. She is currently the Junior High Counselor. She obtained national board certification in school counseling and early childhood through young adulthood in 2006.

wSusan Kiser teaches the third grade at Francis Elementary. She obtained national board certification in middle childhood generalist in 2000. Kiser has been involved in education for 26 years.

wDianne Babb teaches fifth grade reading at Byng Elementary and has taught for 24 years. She was certified in 2007 in early and middle childhood and literacy: reading language arts.

wAnn Hisle-Helms teaches eighth grade PreAlgebra and senior college algebra. She has been involved in education for eight years and obtained her certification in mathematics and early adolescence in 2006.

wLynne White was nationally certified in 2006 in social studies/history and early adolescence. She has taught for 24 years and currently teaches U.S. History to the eighth grade.

wTerry Sanders teaches the 11th and 12th grade cosmetology. She has been teaching for nine years. In 2005, Sanders obtained certification in career and technical education and early adolescence through young adulthood.

wLisa Shores obtained middle childhood generalist certification in 2005 and currently teaches the fifth grade at Homer Elementary. She has taught for 26 years.