Fourteen Moore County teachers have been announced as 2008 recipients of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certifi-cation.

This brings the school system's total of nationally board-certified teachers to 108.

One other was recognized for successfully completing the 10-year renewal process.

Moore County's newest nationally certified teachers are Katie Barrett, Kate Faw and Ann Petersen, of Pinecrest High; Patsy Blue and Dana Phillips, of Carthage Elementary; Teresa Errickson and Tracy Metcalf, of Union Pines High; Carol Flynn, of Southern Pines Elementary; Katrina Fox, of Sandhills Farm Life Elementary; Eric Kopecky, of Southern Middle School; Ann Spong of Robbins Elementary; and Rebeka Day, of Pinehurst Elementary.

Three other candidates who were supported and assisted by the Moore County Schools National Board Team during the 2007-2008 school year are serving in other school systems this year. They are Tonya Comeaux and Jenny Maczko, formerly of West Pine Middle; and Jennifer Daddio, formerly of Vass-Lakeview Elementary.

Fran Gertz, of Pinecrest High, successfully completed the 10-year renewal process.

National board certification requires an extensive series of performance-based assessments, including teaching portfolios, student work samples, videotapes, and thorough analyses of the candidates' classroom teaching and student learning. Teachers also complete a series of written exercises that probe the depth of their subject-matter knowledge as well as their understanding of how to teach those subjects to their students.

"The national board process is an effective professional development experience, which empowers teachers with a reflective, self-assessment tool they can continuously use in their instructional practice," said Cynthia Bell, Moore County Schools specialist for human resources support, who mentors local teachers seeking the certification. "I am always amazed at the tenacity of the candidates as they address the challenges this effort puts before them. They thoroughly engage themselves in every aspect of the process."

Teachers who successfully complete this rigorous process earn a 12-percent salary increase from the state for the 10-year life of the renewable certificate, plus a one-time 1 percent salary bonus from Moore County Schools. They also receive 15 continuing education units (CEUs), which apply toward renewal of their teaching licenses.

The state encourages and supports teachers who wish to pursue the certification by providing them three paid release days from their normal teaching responsibilities and paying the $2,500 assessment fee if they successfully complete the process.

"Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve national board certification have met rigorous criteria through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review," said NBPTS President and CEO Joseph A. Aguerrebere. "Research demonstrates that National Board certified teachers consistently outperform their peers in knowledge of subject matter and ability to create challenging and engaging lessons."

"Our nationally Board Certified teachers are rich resources for our students and the colleagues with whom they interact," said Dr. Anita Alpenfels, executive director for human resources of the Moore County Schools. "Going through the National Board Certification process requires them to reflect on what and how students learn best, one student at a time. That's what we're all about as a school district."

Dr. Susan Purser, superintendent of the school system, said, "North Carolina leads the nation in the number of National Board Certified teachers, and I am proud to say that Moore County Schools has one of the highest percentages in the state for teachers who have earned this certification.

"Without a doubt, Moore County teachers are among the best and brightest in our state and nation, and our impressive number of those with National Board Certification is a testament to our teachers' commitment to excellence."