South High physics teacher urges colleagues to pursue national board certification, outlines mastery-based classroom model

Michelle Strand, a physics and AP physics teacher at South High School, told the Fargo Public Schools Board tonight that National Board Certification helped shape her teaching and urged colleagues to consider the credential.

“my name is Michelle Strand and I teach physics and AP physics at South High School,” Strand said, describing a process she called “incredibly intense” that encourages reflection on classroom practice and student learning. She said the district has six National Board–certified teachers; she contrasted that with West Fargo Public Schools, which she said has 39.

Strand described adopting the Modern Classroom Project in her physics classes to create a mastery-based environment where students can access video lectures at their own pace and choose assignments in tiers she described as “must do, should do, and aspire to do.” She illustrated how a student moved from feeling defeated to successful after working through tiered exit tickets during a single class period.

Strand invited teachers to an informational meeting on March 10 after school at South High for those interested in starting the National Board process or learning more about the approach. She also promoted a community-facing event: the third annual cardboard-boat regatta on March 25 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., which she said will feature a parade of themed boats and student participation.

Board members responded with thanks and said the presentation helped “ground” the board’s work. The teacher’s remarks were part of the reports section of the board’s regular meeting.