Fulton County District teachers certified 04/08/09 Email this story to a friend Fulton County School District now has two National Board Certified Teachers, primary teachers Carla McClure and Wendy Stewart. They were recognized at the Fulton County School Board meeting March 19, and were congratulated for their accomplishment. They were honored March 3, along with 200 other teachers from Kentucky, at the Kentucky Capitol by Governor Steve Beshear and the members of the House of Representatives and Senate. Much like a medical specialty board certifies doctors who have achieved superior levels of competency, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certifies teachers who exemplify superior classroom competency. To certify, many teachers spend between 200 and 800 hours putting together their portfolios, writing essays, taping lessons, and taking the six-hour requisite exam. Then there’s the cost, $2,500. The Fulton County School Board agreed to pay half of the fee for teachers who certify. Both teachers agreed that this encouraged them to proceed. During the school board meeting, after receiving their gifts, McClure and Stewart thanked the school board for their support. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Charles Holliday explained to the school board members that “it is not the norm for school boards” to support teachers in this way. “National board certification is a very rigorous procedure – very time consuming, demanding, and often frustrating,” McClure and Stewart told the Hickman Courier. “It is easy to feel separated and alone. You learn a great deal about yourself, your students, and your practice, but attaining national certification is not easy,” said the two educators about the process. “It was very intense but it was worth it,” added McClure during the school board meeting. During the meeting Superintendent Dr. Charles Holliday read the following commendation: “The Fulton County Board of Education presents this commendation to Carla McClure and Wendy Stewart for attaining National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. You are the first two Fulton County School District teachers to earn National Board Certification. This commendation includes personal congratulations for receiving this prestigious professional credential, appreciation for representing the Fulton County School District and school district community as outstanding teachers, and gratitude for teaching students of the Fulton County School District. This commendation is read publicly and will be spread in the Minutes of the March 19, 2009 Regular Board of Education Meeting as lasting testament to this significant and prominent professional accomplishment.”