Daviess County Teachers Win Board Certification

Three Daviess County Public Schools teachers have earned designation as National Board Certified Teachers by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

 The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an organization that is dedicated to improving schools and student learning by strengthening the quality of those who teach. The board sponsors a National Certification Process that measures a teacher’s practices against high standards of excellence. This involves an extensive series of performance-based assessments that includes teaching portfolios, student work samples, videotapes and a thorough analysis of the candidates’ classroom teaching and student learning. Teachers also complete a series of written exercises that explore the depth of their subject-matter knowledge as well as their understanding of how best to teach these subjects to their students.

 It is an extremely challenging process and only an elite few who attempt it are successful.

 “This achievement is a reflection of their dedication to advancing their own educations,” said Mike Gray, DCPS Interim Superintendent. “By making themselves the best teachers they can possibly be, they exemplify their commitment to our district philosophy of preparing students to succeed for life by ensuring quality instruction.”

 Earning National Board Certification are:

Chad Askins – Askins has taught agriculture at Daviess County High School for nine years. He set a goal of achieving National Board Teaching Certification as part of his commitment to improving in the areas of curriculum development and assessment. “I want to be the best teacher I can be for my students,” Askins said. Under his leadership, the DCHS chapter of Future Farmers of America and its student members have achieved state and national recognition. Askins’ area of certification is in Early Adolescence Through Young Adulthood/Career and Technical Education.

 Heidi Givens – Givens has 16 years of experience as a teacher of the deaf and hard-of-hearing in Kentucky, Florida and Massachusetts, including eight years at Country Heights Elementary School. She presents information to teachers, interpreters and parents across the state and nation, focusing on language and literacy, and consults with teachers and administrators on American Sign Language development and linguistics, bilingual education, and English literacy. “Being a teacher, it is important to also be a student, striving to keep on the cusp of current research and instructional practice,” Givens said. “Pursuing National Board certification has allowed me to explore standard practices for teaching students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing, and to reflect on my current teaching practices. My students deserve the best education possible. Therefore, I must become the best teacher I can for them.” Givens’ area of certification is Exceptional Needs Specialist: Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing.

 Erin Lewis – Lewis has served as special education resource teacher at Sorgho Elementary School for six years. She also serves as the school’s Read 180 (reading intervention) program manager. “I chose to pursue National Board certification to challenge myself to really examine my teaching practices and focus on student achievement,” Lewis said. Her area of certification is in Early to Middle Childhood/ Literacy: Reading – Language Arts.

 The Daviess County Public Schools district now has 26 educators who have earned this distinction. Askins, Givens and Lewis will be recognized by the DCPS Board of Education at their 6 p.m. Dec. 15 meeting.