Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) recognized 134 West Virginia educators as part of the annual National Board Certification (NBC) Recognition Celebration. The ceremony was held at the West Virginia Culture Center and honored 46 new National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) and 88 teachers across West Virginia who maintained their certification in the class of 2023.
Educators can earn this voluntary, advanced teaching credential by completing an intense and rigorous process that can take three years to complete. Candidates must master four components of content knowledge, differentiation in instruction, teaching practice and learning environment and effective/reflective practice to be certified. The NBC is recognized across the country as an achievement beyond the necessary state licensure. Research has shown that an NBCT in the classroom has a greater impact on student learning, especially among low-income students.
“National Board Certified Teachers exemplify the ideas of continuous learning and development in the profession. Their dedication to education and their students provide credence to academic achievement,” said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. “Our NBCTs are committed to excellence and cultivating a foundation for a successful future.”
West Virginia ranks 14th in the country for the percentage of NBCTs and 17th for the number of newly certified teachers. Currently, there are a total of 1,218 NBCTs that have been certified in the Mountain State. In addition to an annual $3,500 salary supplement provided by the WVDE through a legislative line item, most counties also support NBCTs with additional salary enhancements. WVDE provides mentors to assist those pursuing NBC, and it also reimburses the fees associated with the application process.
The 2023 class of new NBCTs as well as those who maintained the credential are as follows:
Newly Certified
| Name | County |
|---|---|
| April Cecil | Berkeley County |
| Amy Files | Berkeley County |
| Melissa Hissem | Berkeley County |
| Rachel March | Berkeley County |
| Kelci Murphy | Berkeley County |
| Lindsay Shade | Berkeley County |
| Alec Hunt | Boone County |
| Melissa Ducworth | Braxton County |
| Josie Krenzel | Cabell County |
| Lori Osborne | Cabell County |
| Rachel Petrie | Cabell County |
| Stephanie Spencer | Cabell County |
| Matthew Stead | Cabell County |
| Sara Hill | Greenbrier County |
| Jennifer Knisely | Greenbrier County |
| Jennifer La Casella | Harrison County |
| Megan Scroggins | Harrison County |
| Lisa Williams | Harrison County |
| Robin Chancey | Jackson County |
| Deidre Manns | Jackson County |
| Charmin McCarty | Jackson County |
| Melinda Monks | Kanawha County |
| Brenna Allen | Lincoln County |
| LeAnna Maynard | Lincoln County |
| Stephanie Brown | Marion County |
| Allyson Varlas | Marshall County |
| Julie Duncan | Mercer County |
| Leigh Owens | Mercer County |
| Jennifer Persinger | Mercer County |
| Emily Altobello | Mineral County |
| Pamela Thompson | Mineral County |
| Amanda Garvin | Monongalia County |
| Lisa McCoy | Monongalia County |
| Jennifer Nail-Cook | Pocahontas County |
| Amanda Darnley | Putnam County |
| Kristin Ayers | Raleigh County |
| Amanda Blackburn | Raleigh County |
| Cynthia Bryant | Raleigh County |
| Jessica Cook | Raleigh County |
| Kristen McBride | Raleigh County |
| Emily Persinger | Raleigh County |
| Rhonda Scott | Raleigh County |
| Stephany Willis | Raleigh County |
| Jessie Roberts | Randolph County |
| Stephanie Asbury | Wood County |
| Gerrie Field | Wood County |
Maintained Certification
| Name | County |
|---|---|
| Craig Arch | Berkeley County |
| Erin Butler | Berkeley County |
| Elaine Cook | Berkeley County |
| Amanda Freenman | Berkeley County |
| Lauren Funderburk | Berkeley County |
| Debra Glover | Berkeley County |
| Shauna Herber | Berkeley County |
| Huston Johnson | Berkeley County |
| Courney Kackley | Berkeley County |
| Rachel Knotts | Berkeley County |
| Wendy Lee | Berkeley County |
| Brianna Niewodowski | Berkeley County |
| Mary Twigg | Berkeley County |
| Eva Warner | Boone County |
| Malory Baker | Cabell County |
| Meghan Salter | Cabell County |
| Lisa Williams | Cabell County |
| Rhonda Travis | Doddridge County |
| Tanya Stewart | Gilmer County |
| Donna Carnes | Hancock County |
| Jennifer Hardy | Hancock County |
| Heidi Markish | Hancock County |
| Henry Hodges | Hardy County |
| Michelle Wolfe | Hardy County |
| Ryan Deems | Harrison County |
| Deanna Garrett | Harrison County |
| Amy Hinkle | Harrison County |
| Brent Kimble | Harrison County |
| Matthew McCullough | Harrison County |
| Renee Powell | Harrison County |
| Julia Yearego | Harrison County |
| Kelley Adcock | Jackson County |
| Tarah Clark | Jackson County |
| Christina Shinn | Jackson County |
| Kristin Friend | Jefferson County |
| Ryan Lawn | Jefferson County |
| Amanda Rinard | Jefferson County |
| William Dorsey | Kanawha County |
| June Klassen | Kanawha County |
| Linda Long | Kanawha County |
| Kelly Plutro | Kanawha County |
| Cari Pauley | Lincoln County |
| Rachelle Bourne | Marion County |
| Kristy Cecil | Mercer County |
| Tara Dillon | Mercer County |
| Christina Hollins | Mercer County |
| Sarah Malone | Mineral County |
| Stacey McClintock | Mineral County |
For media inquiries, contact Christy Day, West Virginia Department of Education Office of Communications, at 304-558-2699 or Christy.Day@k12.wv.us.
