Jill Merz and Wendy Paul to be Recognized at January Board Meeting
STOW, OHIO—January 19, 2010—Excellence in the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District has taken another step forward following the announcement by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBTS) that high school guidance counselor Wendy Paul and Kimpton Family & Consumer Science teacher Jill Merz have achieved National Board Certification (NBC) in November of 2009.
“This process makes you re-assess your approach to teaching,” said Merz. “I definitely feel the process of the Certification has made me a more rounded and better teacher, and I am bringing those benefits to my students.”
National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to develop, recognize and retain accomplished teachers and school counselors. The yearlong process consists of four portfolio entries. Paul and Merz submitted videotaped lessons of their teaching and counseling, documented individual student learning and assessment and reflected their teaching strategies and professionalism. Both portfolios also included documentation and examples of professional development and contributions to the teaching profession in the form of a leader, collaborator and learner.
Upon completing the nine-month process, Paul and Merz spent two months studying for the assessment portion of the National Boards, which consisted of a three-hour comprehensive exam. Both educators were tested on teaching and counseling theories and asked to demonstrate their content knowledge of a variety of topics within their area of certification, as well as across all grade levels. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, NBC teachers have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices.
“Completing the National Board Certification process was truly the epitome of professional development,” said Paul. “As educators, we emphasize the importance of lifelong learning and although I was an experienced counselor, I went into this process hoping to get new ideas and sharpen my skills, and I definitely believe I accomplished this.”
While a state grant funded a large portion of the $2,500 cost to participate in the program, both Paul and Merz contributed their own personal funds to complete Certification as well. Beyond the professional development, both reported many benefits to their students.
“National Board Certification is a growing education reform movement that is reshaping American education,” said Joseph A. Aguerrebere, NBPTS president and chief executive officer. “We are committed to providing school districts like Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools with high-quality teachers who have a deep knowledge of content and teaching practices to support diverse learners. I am proud that Wendy Paul and Jill Merz are among the 82,000 teachers throughout the country who have achieved Certification. These outstanding educators are making a positive difference in the lives of students.”
Last year, the highly respected National Research Council of the National Academies found students taught by NBC teachers make higher gains on achievement tests than students taught by teachers who have not applied or did not achieve certification. The results, which are produced via a congressionally mandated report, also found that NBC has a positive impact on teacher retention and professional development.
“This is truly an outstanding honor in the professional career of any educator,” said Dr. Russell Jones, superintendent. “We are very proud of Mrs. Merz and Mrs. Paul for their accomplishments. Both educators will be recognized during the Board meeting on January 25, 2010.”
NBPTS, and independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan and nongovernmental organization, has more than 20 years of experience in developing rigorous standards and corresponding assessments for teachers to want to demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. For more information about NBPTS and National Board Certification, visit www.nbpts.org.
The Stow-Munroe Falls School District is rated Excellent with Distinction by the Ohio Department of Education, an honor held by 116 school districts out of 613 statewide. For more information, visit www.smfschools.org.
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Media Contact: Jacquie Mazziotta, 330.592.3370/jmazziotta@neo.rr.com
