Lansing schools honor six teachers who earned National Board Certification
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Summary
Lansing Public School District recognized six educators who completed the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, described as a rigorous, multi-year voluntary credential.
Lansing Public School District formally recognized six teachers Thursday who earned National Board Certification, a voluntary, multi-year credential the ISD presenter described as “often referred to as the gold standard of teaching credentials.”
Jessica, a district staff member who presented the awards, described the certification process as a “rigorous voluntary certification program designed to develop, recognize and retain” strong teachers. Jessica told the board the process typically takes one to three years and requires candidates to demonstrate content knowledge, differentiated instruction, teaching practice and reflective practice.
The district presented certificates to six educators named in the meeting: Regina Blumlein (Everett), Karen Hoekstra (Eastern High School), an Eastern High School mathematics teacher (name not specified in the record), Robin Lindell (Eastern High School, counseling), Elizabeth Perez (Eastern High School, health education) and Kathy Schrock (Geyer Park, early education generalist). Jessica said some recipients were renewing board certification.
Why it matters: National Board Certification is a voluntary, state-recognized credential that the ISD presenter linked to measurable improvements in student learning. The district said Michigan offers a $10,000 annual stipend to teachers who hold the certification.
Board remarks and context
Superintendent remarks earlier in the meeting called the recognition “really wonderful” and noted the district’s pride in teachers who pursue the credential. The superintendent and ISD presenter encouraged community recognition of the accomplishment and urged parents and community members to visit schools to see classroom work firsthand.
The district also noted that nationally board certified teachers are uncommon statewide: the presenter cited a figure that about 0.61 percent of teachers in Michigan hold national certification, and said the district’s group of six increases its local share.
What’s next: The district did not announce policy changes tied to the recognitions. The recognition was presented during the regular board meeting’s presentation segment.
Provenance: The recognition and names were presented in the board’s April 17 meeting’s presentation segment; see provenance for transcript excerpts.