Sixteen Issaquah teachers have earned their National Board Certifications. The award is one of the highest designations of professional excellence in the nation. This group brings the District’s total number of certified teachers to 135. Issaquah is among the top 10 districts in the Washington State for the number of teachers earning certification this year.

“We are proud of the remarkable achievement by our National Board Certified teachers,” said Supt. Ron Thiele. “They chose to spend hundreds of hours of personal time to elevate their teaching practice and prove they are among the best teachers in the nation. They are a tremendous resource for the district and their colleagues in bringing best practices in teaching and learning to our classrooms in Issaquah.”

The National Board Certification Program is a voluntary assessment program designed to recognize great teachers – and make them better. While state licensing systems establish a baseline of requirements for teachers, National Board Certified teachers have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills, and practices. The national certification is the only credential process that compares a teacher’s knowledge and skills with a national set of professional standards. The process requires teachers to reflect on how they form and deliver lessons and demonstrate leadership in their schools and communities.

Locally, the Issaquah Schools Foundation and the Issaquah School District support candidates by awarding grants of $1,500 to $3,000.

The teachers who earned certification this year are: Jeff Burgard, Pine Lake Middle School; Jessica Clark, Sunny Hills Elementary; Michaela Donahoe, Issaquah Middle School; Jared Fernandez, Issaquah High School; Mike Fleming, Pacific Cascade Middle School; Michelle Smollen, Issaquah Middle School; Natasha Hoyt, Pacific Cascade Middle School; Brenden Hyland, Skyline High School; Lena Jones, Issaquah High School; Damaris Melton, Sunny Hills Elementary; Holly Merrell Issaquah High School; Trent Neugebauer, Newcastle Elementary; Tatum Philips, Cougar Ridge Elementary; Elizabeth Spencer, Apollo Elementary; Bethany Stead, Discovery Elementary; and Tricia Vannoy, Issaquah High School.

In addition, Jessica Daley at Sunset Elementary and Dana Shawver at Cascade Ridge Elementary renewed their certifications.