WALDORF, Md. – Several Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) teachers have recently earned or retained National Board Certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The designation is an indicator of effective and accomplished teaching.
National Board Certified Teachers must complete a review of their skills and work that includes a portfolio, student work samples, videos and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching and student learning. Teachers also complete a series of written exercises designed to probe the depth of their subject-matter knowledge and understanding of how to teach that material to students.
The following teachers achieved National Board Certification.
- Kelly Bryant, CASE teacher, Maurice J. McDonough High School.
- Jordan Combs, special education teacher, William A. Diggs Elementary School.
- A’leese Dickerson, English teacher, North Point High School.
- Amanda Gilbert, fourth-grade teacher, Dr. James Craik Elementary School.
- Matthew Howard, social studies teacher, St. Charles High School.
- Kelly Lundeen, third-grade teacher, Craik.
- Daniel Meltsner, computer teacher, John Hanson Middle School.
- Teonna Scott, reading interventionalist, Hanson.
- Paige Serpone, mathematics teacher, North Point.
- Brooke Shnipes, English teacher, La Plata High School.
- Mary E. Smith, prekindergarten teacher, Indian Head Elementary School.
- Jessica Tompkins, social studies teacher, Matthew Henson Middle School.
- Sheila White, second-grade teacher, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School.
Teachers who achieved renewal of National Board Certification.
- Laura Buzzell, content specialist for high school mathematics, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building.
- Casey Cleary, mathematics teacher, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School.
- Juliana Herscher, first-grade teacher, T.C. Martin Elementary School.
- Lynn Hopkins, language arts teacher, Piccowaxen Middle School.
- Sonia Matthew, Ed.D., assistant principal, Mary B. Neal Elementary School.
- Tiffany Rybarczyk, prekindergarten teacher, Early Learning Center, La Plata.
- Monica Strobel, language arts teacher, Milton M. Somers Middle School.
Certification is valid for 10 years after which a teacher may choose to remain NBCT certified through the Maintenance of Certification process in five-year intervals. Maryland has 3,673 nationally certified teachers in 2023 and is one of the top 10 states with the highest participation in the certification process.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future encourages teachers to earn and retain a NBCT designation with a salary increase and more opportunities for advancements while having a direct impact on students. Information about the application process is posted online at https://www.nbpts.org/ or visit https://blueprint.marylandpublicschools.org/nbct/.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).