District recognizes National Board-certified teachers and paraeducator credentialing progress

District staff and board members recognized teachers and paraeducators who completed national board certification and paraeducator certification programs during the April 1 meeting.

Dan (presenter) described the district’s National Board work, saying the district has averaged roughly 56–60 staff achieving National Board Certification annually since 2017 and that a cohort of four staff completed certification this year. He also explained the maintenance‑of‑certification (MOC) requirement for National Board-holders and listed staff engaged in MOC activities. Katie Cartham and Jesse Hopper were recognized for mentoring and coordinating paraeducator and certification work.

Presenters explained the state GPC/FFCS paraeducator certificate process (the transcript used the acronyms GPC/FFCS) and said the district moved paraeducator certification completion well inside the state’s five-year window, with many staff completing required hours in one to two years. Presenters described program benefits (professional development and compensation), and noted onboarding steps and the district’s effort to make required fundamental course hours accessible.

Board members asked whether paraeducator training hours are completed during work time or on employees’ own time; presenters said some training is offered during the workday and emphasized ongoing onboarding improvements.

The board publicly thanked staff for certification achievements. No formal board action was required; certificates and “gold medals” were to be distributed to certificants.