Middle School National Board Certified Teachers

Alex Baucom

Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood

West Wilkes Middle School

2019 NBCT

"The National Board Certification process was just as challenging as it was rewarding. It gave me an opportunity to reflect upon the importance of building student relationships while utilizing their strengths and interests to create a learning environment conducive to success."

Melissa Chipman

8th Grade Science/Math/Math1 Teacher

East Wilkes Middle School

2010 NBCT

"Acquiring National Board Certification taught me to examine and reflect how my teaching strategies have improved with the new knowledge I've gained. Certification did not make me a flawless teacher, but it helped me to understand and analyze things when something is going wrong with a student academically. Out of the whole certification process, my belief is, if students don't learn, it's all on me. If my students grow, I've grown."

Piper Church

8th Grade ELA Teacher

North Wilkes Middle School

2005 NBCT; Renewed in 2015

"The process of National Boards was an extensively reflective one that led me to process better ways that I could address student needs in lots of areas. As I moved through the process, I became aware of my personal strengths and my own weaknesses; then I resolved to work more diligently to become a more effective teacher. I have encouraged other teachers to attempt National Boards and hope to continue to do so. Going to NCCAT and working as both a candidate and as a coach for those attempting NB proved extremely helpful in the growth process. This venture also led me into a network of strong teachers across the state with whom I still connect/fellowship with and learn from. National Boards and the pursuit of it have led me to a variety of positives in my life both professionally and personally."

Carol Cleary

Assistant Principal

Central Wilkes Middle School

2011 NBCT

"An essential component of growth in any area, personal or professional, is to first spend an abundant amount of time reflecting on your current situation; to determine areas in which you would consider yourself an expert and to humbly recognize the areas in which you need to seek help to improve. Although I think all educators are reflective by nature as we do this with our lessons daily—What went well? What didn’t go so well? Did the students grasp the concept or master the objective the lesson was intended to address? Did the students grasp the relevance of the purpose of the lesson?--the National Boards process was the catalyst behind a much deeper and more thorough reflection of my practice. The process stimulated true collaboration. I’m not talking about surface-level collaboration in which everyone on a team sits in common planning and maps out what they are teaching and when. I’m talking about true give-and-take where colleagues are honest enough to be vulnerable with one another and admit they need help; where the concern for the students and things that should be done on their behalf outweigh pride and competition. When I admitted that I was at a loss, talented colleagues observed, critiqued, and coached my instructional delivery of social studies concepts for weeks. With their help, planning more focused lessons and activities increased not only student engagement but also my own enthusiasm for social studies. One of my best friends and most talented colleagues even went so far as to come to my home to coach me through my final submission, making suggestions as I edited my video and write-up of the lesson I had recorded. I passed my National Boards on my third and final attempt. Even if I had not passed, the invaluable improvements I credit to improved reflection and collaboration will have far-reaching positive effects on not only the students I had in my classroom afterward, but also the students and teachers I am blessed to work with every day as an administrator."

Heather Freeman

Principal

North Wilkes Middle School

2010 NBCT

"This process was very meaningful in terms of fostering my reflection on what learning was taking place in my classroom. It also allowed me to look deeply at how I was amending learning for those in my class that were not making the progress I felt should have resulted from the lessons."

Sarah Harrison

ELA Teacher

Central Wilkes Middle School

2002 NBCT Renewed in 2012

"Achieving National Board certification validated my philosophy and practice regarding education and brought tremendous satisfaction that the tenets of best practice were being recognized and valued at
the state and national levels. As a reflective practitioner, I regularly use the 5 core propositions set forth by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to guide my practice and my reflection in an effort to exemplify a National Board Certified teacher."

Mark Horton

CTE Teacher

Central Wilkes Middle School

2003 NBCT Renewed in 2013

"Pursuing my National Board Certification allowed me to more closely look at who I teach, how I teach, and why I teach."

Brian Huffman

6th Grade ELA Teacher

West Wilkes Middle School

2001 NBCT Renewed in 2011

"The process of National Boards led me to a deep understanding of reflective teaching. Reflection on the planning,implementation,and evaluation of the lesson. I realized the power of timely feedback to empower my students. This feedback enabled them to "voice" their opinions in a safe and nurturing environment."

Thelma Kastl

CTE STEM Teacher

West Wilkes Middle School

2006 NBCT; Renewed in 2016

"Becoming Nationally Board Certified has meant that I now hold myself to a higher accountability level than ever before. I expect myself to provide my students with lesson opportunities that will help them excel as students and future adults. I expect all aspects of my teaching to be such that the students can use what they learn, everyday and in the future. National Board Certification means I must be the best possible teacher and my lessons must be exceptional."

Kendall Privette

8th grade ELA and Social Studies Teacher

Central Wilkes Middle School

2011 NBCT

"Participating in National Board Certification provided a time of intense reflection on my teaching practice and pushed me to new heights of creativity."

Rita Ray

6th Grade ELA and Social Studies Teacher

East Wilkes Middle School

2006 NBCT Renewed in 2016

"By completing the certification and renewal process for National Boards, I have been able to develop effective reflection techniques to refine the fine art and craft of teaching. The process of reflecting on best teaching practices ensures that I am continually striving to improve the teaching and learning in my classroom. This enables me to make deliberate and intentional instructional decisions and to develop perceptive problem solving skills to benefit my students. This process has allowed me to be an agent of positive change in my classroom and, as I hope my students will be, a lifelong learner."

Bonnie Watkins

6th Grade Math and Science Teacher

Central Wilkes Middle School

2006 NBCT; Renewed in 2016

"The journey to attaining National Board certification is the most beneficial professional development experience I have ever had. The process of researching best practices, reflection on teaching, and collaboration with fellow candidates has enabled me to have a clearer vision of how I can help each student meet his or her potential."

Tyler Woodie

8th Grade Science Teacher/Early Adolescent

North Wilkes Middle School

2019 NBCT

"Pursuing National Board Certification has forced me to reflect upon every pedagogical decision I make in the classroom as to its effectiveness, validity, and how well matched it is to the needs of my students. This process has also reinvigorated and confirmed my love for teaching. I encourage any effective teachers to pursue their certification."