At Cle Elum-Roslyn School District, we are proud to recognize the dedication and expertise of our National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs). Achieving National Board Certification is one of the highest honors in the teaching profession, demonstrating a commitment to excellence, lifelong learning, and student success.
National Board Certification is a rigorous, voluntary process that requires teachers to showcase advanced teaching practices, deep content knowledge, and instructional effectiveness. It involves a portfolio process requiring in-depth analysis and reflection on student growth and a rigorous board examination focused on content and pedagogical knowledge—all designed to ensure that educators meet the highest standards of excellence in education.
Research consistently shows that students taught by National Board Certified Teachers achieve higher academic success. For educators, National Board Certification provides opportunities for advanced professional growth, leadership within schools and districts, and recognition as accomplished educators.
NBCTs often take on mentorship roles, guiding colleagues and fostering instructional improvements. Their leadership strengthens our focus on continuous growth and educational excellence. As NBCT Sonia Cross shares, "Maintaining my National Board Certification is more than a personal achievement—it is a commitment to my students, colleagues, and community. The renewal process ensures that I continue to grow as an educator while making a meaningful impact on student learning. By supporting and encouraging National Board Certification, we elevate the teaching profession, enhance student success, and strengthen our school district as a whole."
We are thrilled to celebrate our dedicated educators who have successfully achieved or maintained their National Board Certification:
Sonia Cross – Recertified NBCT, Cle Elum-Roslyn Elementary School
Charlene Harper – Our newest NBCT, Cle Elum-Roslyn High School (Certified in English Language Arts - Adolescence and Young Adulthood)
Kamille Baker – Certified in 2009 as a Middle Childhood Generalist
Kristen Anderson – Certified in 2010 in Early and Middle Childhood Literacy
Additionally, Kami Baker, Charlie Harper, and Kristen Anderson are hoping to form an in-district OSPI-approved National Board support cohort for the 2025-2026 school year. This cohort would provide structured and intentional support to candidates as they pursue certification. Support cohorts have consistently improved candidate outcomes and also allow our teachers to access state financial support to pay for the certification process.
Charlene Harper shares her experience: "I pursued National Board Certification to further my knowledge and skills in teaching English language arts and to have a greater impact on students' learning. There are few advancement options in public education for classroom teachers, and I was intrigued by this opportunity to demonstrate my competence through a national program that would potentially result in a state-level bonus as recognition. I achieved certification in December of 2024, but I have already experienced a difference in how I plan units. I have also observed improved student learning as a result of more intentional progressions of formative assessments leading up to summative assessments. I am excited to see how I continue to grow, and consequently, my students continue to grow."
Kristen Anderson echoes this sentiment: "I pursued board certification because I wanted to improve the intentionality of my teaching. I wanted to grow my ability to effectively embed data-driven instruction into authentic, immersive, content-integrated literacy experiences. The process made me a much more reflective and effective practitioner and empowered me to become an action researcher in my own classroom."
Having NBCTs in our schools raises the overall quality of education, enhances mentorship for new teachers, and improves student achievement. It also strengthens our district’s reputation for excellence, making Cle Elum-Roslyn an even more desirable place to learn and teach.
Superintendent John Belcher emphasizes the value of these educators: "National Board Certified Teachers bring exceptional expertise and leadership to our schools, enhancing student learning and strengthening our district. Their dedication to excellence elevates instruction and inspires both colleagues and students to achieve more."
We celebrate our National Board Certified Teachers and encourage more educators to pursue this distinguished certification. Their hard work and dedication make a lasting impact on our students, schools, and community!