8 Hamilton County teachers get national certification

photo School chairs classroom tile

Eight Hamilton County teachers received certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, the highest teaching credential in the United States. Teachers receiving certification hailed from a variety of disciplines and grade levels.

The newest to receive the designation are: Lori Bowman, Ganns Middle Valley Elementary; Jayne Dyar, Westview Elementary; Sharon Eaves, East Lake Academy; John Echols, Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts; Carla Guerra, Battle Academy; Angela Kortyka, Central High; Lisa Leopold, Normal Park Museum Magnet Upper School; and Susan Proctor, East Ridge Elementary.

The Hamilton County Department of Education and the Hamilton County Education Association have united in recent years to promote the voluntary national certification.

The school district and the state have offered partial reimbursement for the $2,500 certification cost.

Teachers receive an extra $4,000 per year in salary over the course of the 10-year National Board certification.

About 40 Hamilton County teachers have received the designation over the past six years.

To qualify, teachers must complete multiple assessments and submit several teaching portfolios, including videotaped lessons, examples of student work and evidence of their accomplishments.

It can take up to three years as teachers critique their own lessons, perfect portfolios and retake exams if necessary.

Of about 3 million teachers across the country, only about 100,000 have received the national designation.

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