District 214 teachers show commitment via national certification

District 214 teachers routinely go above and beyond the norm in providing the best possible learning experiences for students. While many of these efforts are not quantifiable, some are: including the effort made by teachers in order to achieve National Board Certification.

Congratulations this year to Laura Wagner, a Wheeling High School English teacher, who earned National Board Certification. Congratulations, too, to Orin Xavier, also a Wheeling English teacher, and Elliott Olson, a Rolling Meadows High School social science teacher, both of whom successfully maintained their National Board Certification.

Teachers earn this designation by demonstrating that their teaching practice meets the rigorous standards established by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The standards are student-focused. Certification candidates are required to demonstrate a deep understanding of their students, content knowledge, use of data and assessments and teaching practice. They must also show that they participate in learning communities and show evidence of ongoing reflection and continuous learning.

The standards and process for certification were designed by teachers, for teachers. The NBPTS was established in 1987, the first class of National Board Certified Teachers were certified in 1995. Teachers who achieve certification are required to undergo a process to maintain their certification every five years.