12 Federal Way Public Schools teachers earn National Board certification

The National Board candidacy is a demanding process, and has numerous benefits to students.

Federal Way Public School teachers who earned National Board for professional teaching standards certification in 2018 were honored by the district’s school board at the Feb. 26 meeting.

“We are proud of our district’s latest recipients of the National Board Teacher Certification,” said Dr. Tammy Campbell, FWPS superintendent, in a press release. “This certification is a rigorous process that illustrates their commitment to making a positive impact to our scholars’ learning and as members of their professional learning communities.”

National Board certification is an advanced certification program designed to recognize outstanding teachers who meet high and rigorous standards that accomplished teachers should know and be able to do.

Congratulations to the following teachers for achieving this certification:

• Stephen Austin, Adolescence and Young Adulthood, English Language Arts

• Kylie Bertram, Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Science

• Brent Brakke, Early Adolescence, Mathematics

• Joan Bunting, Middle Childhood, Generalist

• Jessica Cochenour, Middle Childhood, Generalist

• Diana Evans, Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, Exceptional Needs Specialist

• Jana Kelly, Early Adolescence, Mathematics

• Jessica Lee, Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Mathematics

• Aileen Panniker, Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, Exceptional Needs Specialist

• Amanda Smith, Middle Childhood, Generalist

• Coley Veitenhans, Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood, Career and Technical Education

• Carlito Gil Umali, Early Adolescence, English Language Arts

National Board certified teachers successfully demonstrate exemplary teaching knowledge, skills and practices. According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the state of Washington ranks among the top five states with the most new National Board certified teachers.

The National Board candidacy is a demanding process, and has numerous benefits to students, as teachers become even more self-reflective about their practice and increase subject area knowledge.