ALBANY, N.Y. December 11, 2008 - New York State United Teachers today applauded the accomplishments of 93 New York teachers who earned national certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, a highly respected symbol of teaching excellence that directly benefits children in the classroom.
The 93 teachers who Tuesday learned that they had achieved national certification include five from Schenectady and three from Arlington in Dutchess County. In all, New York now has 880 teachers who, since 1994, have attained what is widely known as the "gold standard" of the teaching profession. A complete list of the 93 teachers who earned national recognition is available at www.nysut.org.
"National Board Certification is part of a growing education reform movement that is helping to reshape public education by developing, recognizing and retaining our best teachers," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "Teachers who earn national certification have voluntarily met rigorous standards and we applaud their accomplishments."
NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira noted teachers who successfully achieve national certification must demonstrate mastery of teaching; show the effect of their teaching on student performance; prove knowledge of their subject area; their ability to manage and measure student learning; and reach out to parents and the community.
"New York is already home to the most skilled and professional teachers in the nation. The 880 teachers who have earned national certification have gone beyond the required master's degree and professional development requirements to voluntarily participate in a rigorous credentialing process," Neira said. "They are standard-bearers for the profession and our ambassadors for teaching excellence."
Neira added that National Board Certification – a voluntary process that takes most candidates 200-400 hours and more than a year to complete – is an effective strategy for closing the achievement gap. Neira noted 58 percent of New York's nationally certified teachers work in Title I schools. "In schools that are struggling, quality teaching, the use of 'best practice' in the classroom, and collaboration between teachers and the administration are essential. These teachers are helping to lead the way," Neira said.
NYSUT assists national board candidates by offering awareness programs, support and advice through online discussion forums, conferences and professional development through its Education & Learning Trust. The union works with the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center and other teacher centers to support candidates through the challenging board-certification process.
NYSUT represents 600,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers; National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.
2008-2009 National Board Certified Teachers
Melissa Anzalone-Haywood
Rochester City School District
Tracy Atkins Zoughlami
New York City Public Schools
Meredith Bernadt
Schenectady City School District
Donald Blaine
Cornwall Central School District
Michelle Boger
New York City Public Schools
Donna Caiet
Oceanside Union Free School District
Paula Carter
New York City Public Schools
Gisela Castillo
New York City Geographic District # 7
Lainie Christou
Niskayuna Central School District
Gregory Cole
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Boces
Anne Marie Comaratta
No SD Provided
Phyllis Conlin
Putnam Valley Central School District
Kyle Crandall
Rochester City School District
Lauren Crill
Cornwall Central School District
Deanna Cudahy
Niagara Falls City School District
Elizabeth Cushing
Albany City School District
Elizabeth De Angelis
New York City Public Schools
Kathleen Dodge
Massena Central School District
Jodi Dooley
Rhinebeck Central School District
Tracy Durkee
Homer Central School District
Todd Feldman
Canandaigua City School District
Elizabeth Foran
Rochester City School District
Frances Fuchs Lohnes
Saratoga Springs City School District
Maggie Fuller
Albany City School District
Lisa Funk
Syosset Central School District
Sean Gilroy
Putnam Valley Central School District
Maura Gilsinan
Rush-Henrietta Central School District
Heidi Gleason
East Greenbush Central School District
Joan Haefner
Canandaigua City School District
Phoebe Hanshew
New York City Public Schools
Jason Harshman
West Irondequoit Central School District
Steven Hertzog
Arlington Central School District
Douglas Hoyne
Glens Falls City School District
Theresa Hunter
East Syracuse-Minoa Central School Distric
Patricia Johnson
Schenectady City School District
Eva Kaplan
Syosset Central School District
Heidi Kazulak
Lewiston-Porter Central School District
Sally Kemink
Arlington Central School District
Michael Lamb
New York City Geographic District # 7
Norman Lein
Rush-Henrietta Central School District
James Longwell-Stevens
New York City Geographic District #14
Geralyn Marasco
Manhasset Union Free School District
Valerie Mathews
Nyack Union Free School District
James Mcdougal
No SD Provided
Stephanie Mclaughlin
Syosset Central School District
Robyn-Ellen Messare
Shenendehowa Central School District
Nancyann Militello
Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School Distri
Jennifer Moore
Croton-Harmon Union Free School District
Kimberly Moore
New York City Public Schools
Nicole Mothershed
Campbell-Savona Central School District
Colleen Mutchler-Santoli
Cornwall Central School District
Charlotte Naples
Saratoga Springs City School District
Thomas Naughton
Croton-Harmon Union Free School District
Jeffery Noto
Mahopac Central School District
Jennifer Nouri
Syosset Central School District
Ann Obrien
Granville Central School District
Susan Olekoski
Schenectady City School District
Pattiann Orazio
Nyack Union Free School District
Emilce Ortiz
New York City Geographic District # 6
Marc Ouimet
Arlington Central School District
Christine Palladino
Baldwin Union Free School District
Keith Pedzich
Canandaigua City School District
Shawn Peisher
Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School Dist
Elisa Pepe
Schalmont Central School District
Yvonne Pierce
Red Hook Central School District
Rebecca Pisani
Holland Patent Central School District
Arthur Plichta
Newburgh City School District
Keith Pollizatto
Schenectady City School District
James Porta
Brighton Central School District
Sarah Pulcher
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School Dis
Jason Raymond
New York City Public Schools
Patricia Reich
Sweet Home Central School District
Elisa Rosen
Hendrick Hudson Central School District
Melissa Rossano
Putnam Valley Central School District
Gary Rothenbucher
Hunter-Tannersville Central School Distric
Miriam Santana Valadez
Rochester City School District
Bethany Schill
Spencerport Central School District
Edward Schmitt
Putnam Valley Central School District
Kristin Schoenleber-Fontan
Croton-Harmon Union Free School District
Rose Sicilia
Schenectady City School District
Thomas Siembor
Wayne Central School District
Jennifer Sloma
New York City Public Schools
Sarah Spoto
Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School Dist
Kim Sprenger
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School D
Catherine St. Croix
Lowville Academy & Central School District
Anita Stabrowski
Broadalbin-Perth Central School District
Betsy Tanenhaus
Albany City School District
Sylvia Tellaeche
Cortland City School District
Valerie Tundo
Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School Distri
Kristine Vanduyne
Canandaigua City School District
Laura Vosswinkel
Oceanside Union Free School District
Marilyn Williams
New York City Community School District #1