Courtesy photo
Riverview teachers who received their board certification are, from left, Janet Laverne, Teresa O’Shea and Lisa Powers-Hwang.

The Riverview School Board recognized Janet Laverne, Teresa O’Shea and Lisa Powers-Hwang for accomplishing their National Board Certification at the board meeting on Tuesday, February 26.

Dr. Anthony Smith spoke to the qualities of each teacher and their commitment to students.

Lisa Powers-Hwang, first grade teacher at Cherry Valley Elementary, tied the certification process to her master program focusing on refining and reflecting her work.

Teresa O’Shea, Tolt Middle School science teacher, thanked Dr. Smith for the gift of time to pursue this certification, noting it opened her to new ideas regarding student learning.

Janet Laverne, Tolt math teacher, said she learned her philosophy of education truly works and appreciated the district’s support.

The National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to recognize and reward great teachers, and make them better.

“Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve NBC have met rigorous criteria through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review,” said NBPTS President and CEO Joseph A. Aguerrebere.

This process, which takes between 200 – 400 hours (typically taking one to three years to complete) requires teachers to include documentation of evidence of successful student learning through measures such as:

Documentation of the evaluation of student work and details of directions provided to assist students in the learning process, along with documentation of the teachers’ professional learning and collaboration.

Creating two detailed video tapes demonstrating the teachers’ ability to lead entire class discussions and those of a small group, providing and demonstrating knowledge and skills with regard to the use of best practices which positively impact student learning.

In addition to the above measures, teachers are also assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach.

With the completion of this intensive program Mrs. Powers-Hwang, Mrs. O’Shea, and Ms. Laverne have become an integral part of a very important process which will continue to improve teaching and heighten student learning in the Riverview School District.