State teachers earn national certification

The Alabama Department of Education announced this week that 226 teachers across the state had earned National Board Certification.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group formed in 1987 to advance the quality of teaching and learning by developing professional standards for accomplished teaching.

Alabama pays each candidate's $2,500 application fee and provides a $5,000 annual salary supplement. First-year nationally board certified teachers also receive a one-time $5,000 classroom bonus.

"Achieving (certification) demonstrates a true dedication to the professional of teaching and most importantly dedication to students," said State Superintendent Joe Morton. "These teachers are making positive changes in the classroom, which result in better students that improve our school systems and educational communities."

Local school systems had eight teachers attain the certification. They are:

Tawana Bonds, Calhoun County, elementary and middle education counseling

Tara Hood, Calhoun County, early childhood generalist

Jennifer Roberts, Calhoun County, elementary and middle literacy and language arts

Mary Twigg, Calhoun County, elementary and middle literacy and language arts

Rita Harper, Talladega County, library media

Karen Beverly, Randolph County, physical education and elementary and middle education

Christy Fordham, Roanoke City, social studies and history

Meredith Sears, Roanoke City, social studies and history

The NBPTS has a searchable database to find every teacher in the country who earned certification for 2007.