UI Helps Area Teachers Receive National Certification
Tuesday, November 30 1999
November 30, 1999^^MEDIA CONTACT: Chad Cain, University Communications and Marketing, (208) 885-6567 or cmcain@uidaho.edu STORY CONTACT: Jerry Tuchscherer, College of Education associate dean, (208) 885-7456 or jerryt@uidaho.edu^^Fourteen teachers from northern Idaho are among 73 Idaho teachers who have achieved certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).^^The teachers who received the certification were enrolled in a collaborative program facilitated by the University of Idaho and Lewis-Clark State College and funded last year by a three-year, $375,000 grant from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation. ^^The program serves teachers in the Idaho panhandle, south to Riggins. Teachers from McCall and New Meadows also take courses through UI.^^"In our first year with the project, the success rate is 58 percent, which is above the national average," said Jerry Tuchscherer, program director and associate dean in the College of Education. "I feel extremely pleased with the quality of the teachers in northern Idaho seeking certification."^^Achieving National Board certification is a yearlong process that involves the submission of a detailed teaching portfolio, videotapes and completion of a full day of assessment exercises focused on pedagogical content knowledge. ^^Teachers also attend classes at various locations throughout the school year and receive college credit towards a graduate degree. ^^The new group of teachers joins the 17 Idaho teachers who achieved certification from previous years, bringing the statewide total to 90. The National Board awards national certification, which lasts for 10 years, each November.^^Last spring, the Idaho Legislature and Gov. Dirk Kempthorne approved legislation recognizing Idaho teachers for their achievement via the National Board process. Part of that recognition includes a $2,000 per year salary increase for the first five years of certification.^^To qualify for the program, K-12 teachers must have at least three years experience and pay a $2,000 fee. The Albertson grant is underwriting the fee for most Idaho teachers.^^The 14 teachers from northern Idaho who were nationally certified and the school in which they teach are:^^COEUR D'ALENE Judy Bieze, Hayden Meadows Elementary^^Nancy Larsen, Ramsey Elementary^^LEWISTON Linda Kazda, Sacajawea Junior High^^Josie Marshall, Sacajawea Junior High^^Janet Peacock, Sacajawea Junior High^^MCCALL Jan Hamilton, McCall Elementary^^Ellen McKinney, McCall Elementary^^MOSCOW Jane Fallon, Moscow Junior High^^Jason Seubert, Potlatch Junior-Senior High^^Ingrid Spence, Moscow Junior High^^NEW MEADOWS Karen Brees, Meadows Valley Jr.-Sr. High^^RATHDRUM Ana Vazquez Schnepf, Spirit Lake Elementary^^PULLMAN, WA Craig Hill, Moscow High School^^Tammy Sewell, West Park Elementary^^--30-- 11/30/99/cc EDU^
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