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ALBANY, N.Y. (December 16, 2009)
--
Two City School District of Albany
teachers
were among more than a dozen in the Capital Region and 117 statewide
recognized Dec. 16 for their success in earning certification through the National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards.
Technology teacher Melissa Hirt of Stephen and
Harriet Myers Middle School (at right in photo) and art teacher Debbie Cronin of New Scotland
Elementary School and Eagle Point Elementary School are among the
first teachers in the region who earned national board certification in the special
subjects they teach. They were among the area teachers recognized during
a New York State United Teachers news conference at Myers Middle School.
"It was a great time of reflection to look
back on what I do in the classroom and what I want to change in the
future for the betterment of my students," Ms. Hirt said of the
three-year certification process.
Ms. Cronin said the experience will help her
better prepare students for a multi-disciplinary approach to learning.
"My job every day is to create students who
are problem solvers," she said. "Now more than ever we need to educate
students who can solve all kinds of problems in whatever career paths
they choose."
NYSUT President Richard C.
Iannuzzi lauded the national board-certified teachers as "standard
bearers for teaching excellence.”
“By voluntarily taking on
this enormous challenge, and demonstrating their knowledge and ability
to help students learn, they are rightly being recognized as the ‘best
of the best’ and we congratulate them,” he said.
Ms. Hirt and Ms. Cronin
join almost 1,000 teachers in New York State who
hold national board certification, including these five Albany teachers:
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Albany School of Humanities (ASH) third-grade teacher Connie
Blair
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Interim district volunteer coordinator and former middle school
math coach Rita Floess
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Montessori Magnet School third-grade teacher Maggie Fuller, Ed.D
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North
Albany Academy first-grade teacher Betsy Nigro Cushing
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Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST)
fifth-grade teacher Betsy Tanenhaus
NYSUT Vice
President Maria Neira, who unveiled the national board’s Class of
2009 at a news conference at the Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle
School in Albany, said nationally certified teachers help to improve
student achievement. Studies show that, on average,
students of
board-certified teachers experience learning gains equal to an extra
month in class, with an even greater impact on low income students.
“These highly skilled
teachers represent all their colleagues, past and present, who have
achieved our profession’s highest standard,” Neira said, adding,
“Quality teaching, which includes collaboration between teachers and
partnerships with administrators and the community, is essential to
ending the achievement gap. In Albany, Schenectady and other school
districts, nationally certified teachers are leaders in helping to
spread ‘best practice’ and improve on the already high level of
teaching taking place in our classrooms.”
The National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards develops rigorous standards for teaching and certifies
teachers who meet those standards. The certification process takes one
to three years. Teachers are required to submit four portfolio entries,
including video recordings of classroom activities and examples of
student work. They also must pass an assessment that is specific to
their certification area.
The mission of the City School District of
Albany is to educate and nurture all students to be
responsible citizens, critical thinkers and lifelong learners to
successfully compete in the global community by providing an
academically rigorous and safe environment in partnership with parents,
students and the community. The district serves approximately 8,400 students in 16
elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood
schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as
well as other innovative academic opportunities for students.
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