Congratulations to the ten Tacoma Public Schools teachers who recently earned their National Board Certification. They join another three teachers who renewed their certification this year, bringing the total number of TPS teachers who hold this certification to 241.

The new National Board teachers and those renewing their certification this year were honored at the April 3 School Board meeting.

National Board Certification is an advanced and voluntary teaching credential that complements a state's teaching license. Teachers pursuing this certification engage in a rigorous process including demonstration of content knowledge, differentiation in instruction, effective teaching practice and being a reflective practitioner.

The state of Washington is second in the nation in the total number of National Board Certified Teachers. Tacoma Public Schools is in the top three districts for current National Board candidates in the state, and approximately 10 percent of our teachers are National Board Certified.

Tacoma’s new National Board teachers are:

• Janelle Gard – Lincoln High School
• Anastasia Johnson – Mary Lyon Elementary School
• Suzanne Lam – Lister Elementary School
• Matthew Lonsdale – Science & Math Institute
• Lori More – Stewart Middle School
• Daniel, Udell – Silas High School
• Alyssa Urish – First Creek Middle School
• Andrew Vo – Stafford Elementary School
• Dawn Weber – Tacoma Online
• Micah West – Mount Tahoma High School

Tacoma’s renewing National Board teachers are:

• Jana Fullerton – Stadium High School
• Kristin Mitchell – Giaudrone Middle School
• Susan Miller – Lister Elementary School