Top teachers: Local teachers begin drive toward national certification

By Pennie Embry, Staff Writer

STIGLER, June 4 — School let out last week, but not for Stigler teachers Valorie Lewis, Shawna Coplen, Cindy Keith and Lisa Dorris. On Wednesday and Thursday, they’ll be in Durant, participating in instruction at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Being taught instead of teaching.

Earlier this year, the four women decided to become National Board Certified teachers. This week they will attend two days of workshop classes and orientation to help them on that quest.

National Board Certification establishes advanced standards for experienced teachers, and is one of the highest goals a teacher can strive to attain. Doing so takes months and often years of hard work outside of an already busy schedule. The certification program, run by the National Board Certification of America, was developed by teachers, with teachers and for teachers, and is designed to complement, not replace state licensing.

The orientation program at SOSU is just the first of many steps Coplen, Dorris, Keith and Lewis will take to achieve their goal.

During their stay in Durant, the four candidates will meet with other teachers in their certification area, train with National Board Certified teachers, learn about various support groups for the program and complete a letter of intent.

Then they will return to Stigler, their lives, their jobs and a new challenge. In addition to learning and integrating national educational standards into all areas of their own classrooms, the teachers will have to submit detailed assignments to the NBCA. These include video recordings and a portfolio of instructional lesson materials designed by each teacher to meet complex educational needs and specific goals.

So why would four busy teachers take on even more work?

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