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Show February 15 03.qxd 12/7/2021 Volume VII Issue IX 3:36 PM Page 13 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 13 February 15, 2003 Restless By Cindy Florence, Liberty Valley Teacher Obtains National Certification professional performance. The National Board has raised the standards for teachers, strengthened their educational preparation through these standards, and created performance-based assessments that demonstrate accomplished application of the standards. The mission of the National Board is to advance the quality of teaching and learning by: Winter has woven a blanket that is not warm. Everything is so quiet, except my head. The mighty trees slumber, the only green ones are dressed for the occasion. My lungs fill with air that has to be forced out, or it will surely stay until Springs thaw. Christmas has passed, New Years’ is a hazy, silly memory. The earth seems restless, or is that me? Snowmobiles buzz, snowplows hum, our only symphony since the birds have all gone. All but the magpies that nest on the backs of the statue—like horses in their cloudy fields. The smell of the chimney smoke is as thick as the snow. The Valley, so picture perfect white. Everything is so quiet . . . THINK OF THE FUTURE The Ogden Valley Land Trust a non-profit organization For more information, Call (801) 745-2048 Michelle Evans Michelle Evans, sixth grade teacher at Valley Elementary, received National Board Certification on December 2, 2002, becoming one of only 37 teachers within the state of Utah to ever receive this honor. Evans is the first teacher in the Weber School District to accomplish this goal. Noting the quality of teachers in the district, Evans stated, “I’m sure I won’t be the last.” Understanding that the future of communities, states, and the nation hinges on the quality of education students are receiving in today’s classrooms, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards® (NBPTS) is rooted in the belief that the single most important action this country can take to improve schools and student learning, is to strengthen its teachers. NBPTS is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization governed by a 63-member board of directors, the majority of whom are classroom teachers. Other members include school administrators, school board leaders, governors and state legislators, higher education officials, teacher union leaders and business and community leaders. NBPTS is dedicated to student learning, and to upholding high standards for Maintaining high and rigorous stan dards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. Providing a national voluntary system certifying teachers who meet these standards. Advocating related education reforms to integrate National Board Certification in American education, and to capitalize on the expertise of National Board Certified Teachers. National Board Certification® measures a teacher’s skills against high, rigorous standards. The process is an extensive series of performance-based assessments that include teaching portfolios, student work samples, videotapes of teacher performance, and thorough analyses of the candidates’ classroom teaching ability as it relates to their students’ learning. Teachers also complete a series of written exercises that probe the depth of their subject-matter knowledge, as well as their understanding of how to teach those subjects to their students. National Board Certification is voluntary, and open to all people who have a baccalaureate degree and three years of classroom experience in either a public or private school. It is valid for ten years, after which a teacher must seek renewal. National Board Certified teachers are recognized at local, state, and national levels. Michelle was recently recognized at a dinner sponsored by the UEA in December of 2002. Many teachers across the country are financially compensated for the national designation, though the state of Utah has no formal avenue for compensating nationally certified teachers. Some colleges and universities have also organized support programs for certification candidates, and many are aligning their teacher preparation curriculum to reflect the National Board’s standards for accomplished teachers. Recognizing the importance of teacher quality, more and more businesses are also becoming involved by offering scholarships for teachers seeking National Board Certification, and even providing supportive services for teachers during their candidacy. Certified teachers have said that the certification experience has changed them as professionals, and that, through the process, they deepened their content knowledge, and developed, mastered, and reflected on new approaches to working with their students. Reflecting on the rigorous challenge of completing and passing the requirements for national certification, Evans stated, “It was the best professional development experience that I have ever participated in.” For all your Excavating Needs LANDSCAPE ROCK SOIL FILL DIRT GRAVEL ROAD BASE SEPTIC TANKS BASEMENTS WATERLINES SNOW REMOVAL TOP ESTABLISHED 1981 Visa and Mastercard Accepted OFFICE LOCATED AT 4786 EAST 2600 NORTH EDEN, UT 84310 745-2309 Office Pine trees galore, 1.91 acres, 6 bed., 2 bath, family room, 3-car garage.Secluded yet convenient. $244,900! Peaceful setting, large trees, horse property in Huntsville. 5 BD, 2 1/2 BA, 20 x 30 workshop. R.V. parking 1.34 acre. $185,500! 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