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ASU ranks 13th among institutions in nation awarding degrees to 56 National Board Certified Teachers in 2011

01/10/2012

Arkansas State University has been recognized by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) for producing an exceptional number of National Board Certified Teachers in 2011, announced Dr. Dan Howard, interim chancellor. 

“This is a signal accomplishment for the teachers and the ASU faculty, especially, but not entirely, in the College of Education, that has brought positive national recognition to ASU and merits heartfelt congratulations to all who contributed to this remarkable and successful outcome,” said Dr. Howard.

He went on to state that 56 teachers who earned one or more academic degrees from ASU obtained National Board Certification, causing ASU to be ranked 13th in the nation on this important parameter.
 

The president and chief executive officer of NBPTS, Ron Thorpe, added, “National board certification is synonymous with great teaching.  While our nation is focused on the need for the highest quality teachers, board certification truly is the gold standard.”

The NBPTS announced the 2011 class at a White House event Dec. 7, held to honor the newly certified teachers, according to Dr. Ella Cleveland, director of Higher Education Initiatives for NBPTS.

The board notified Dr. Greg Meeks, interim dean of the College of Education, that Arkansas State University is among the top institutions nationally that awarded undergraduate degrees to 50 or more teachers who achieved the status of National Board Certified Teacher this year.

“ASU is truly honored to be one of the top institutions in the nation whose graduates received National Board Certification in 2011,” said Dr. Meeks.  “This speaks to the quality of all of our undergraduate and graduate professional education programs, but more importantly, it speaks of the caliber of our graduates.”  

Below is the honor roll of the 56 ASU alumni who obtained National Board Certification along with certificate information, school district and school city:

1.     Angela Allen, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Waldron School District, Waldron.

2.   Rebecca Allen, Library Media/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, Pea Ridge School District, Pea Ridge.

3.   Lisa Barber, Generalist/Early Childhood, Batesville School District, Sulphur Rock.

4.   Stephanie Bibey, Generalist/Early Childhood, Cabot School District, Cabot.

5.   Jennifer Biggers, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Lawrence County School District, Walnut Ridge.

6.   Kimberly Blackston, English Language Arts/Early Adolescence, Springdale School District, Springdale.

7.   Sarah Bohrman, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Nettleton School District, Jonesboro.

8.   Lisa Brownfield, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Pangburn School District, Pangburn.

9.   Christina Bufford, Social Studies-History/Early Adolescence, Lonoke School District, Lonoke.

10. Rebecca Bullard, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Hoxie School District, Hoxie.

11. Laura Cain, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Valley View School District.

12.       Candace Campbell, Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Brookland School District, Brookland.

13. Regina Caraway, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, Batesville School District, Batesville.

14. Vickie Clark, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, Huntsville School District, Huntsville.

15. Kathryn Davis, School Counseling/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, Pulaski County Special School District, North Little Rock.

16. Teressa Davis, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Cross County School District, Cherry Valley.

17. Lori Diffey, Library Media/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, Little Rock School District, Little Rock.

18. Heather Eggers, English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Westside Consolidated School District, Jonesboro.

19. Emma Foster, English Language Arts/Early Adolescence, West Memphis School District, West Memphis.

20. Melissa Fureigh, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, Cabot School District, Cabot.

21. Lori Gibson, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Little Rock School District, Little Rock.

22. Lisa Harber-Hurtt, Art/Early and Middle Childhood, Salem School District, Salem.

23. Shelly Hardin, English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood, West Memphis School District, West Memphis.

24. Brandi Harris, Generalist/Early Childhood, Greene County Tech School District, Paragould.

25. Holly Howard, English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Benton School District, Benton.

26. Heather Hutchison, Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Valley View School District, Jonesboro.

27. Dyana Johnson, Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood, Forrest City School District, Forrest City.

28. Karla Jones, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Bay School District, Bay.

29. Lindsey Jones, English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood, DeSoto County School District, Southaven, Miss.

30. Sandra Jones, Library Media/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, Augusta School District, Augusta.

31. Elisa Kifer, Literary: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Nettleton School District, Jonesboro.

32. Latwayla Knowlton, English Language Arts/Early Adolescence, Jonesboro School District, Jonesboro.

33. Wendi Ladd, Generalist/Early Childhood, Corning School District, Corning.

34. Roland Popejoy, Mathematics/Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Valley View School District, Jonesboro.

35. Robin Propes, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, McCracken County, West Paducah, Ky.

36. Jessica Purnell, English Language Arts/Early Adolescence, Brookland School District, Brookland.

37. Cynthia Quarry, School Counseling/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, North Little Rock School District, North Little Rock.

38. Cathy Reese, Library Media/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, Cedarville School District, Cedarville.

39. Christal Schalk, Generalist/Middle Childhood, Greene County Tech School District, Paragould.

40. Delania Scruggs, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Westside Consolidated School District, Jonesboro.

41. Amy Simpson, Literacy Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Valley View School District, Jonesboro.

42. Nancy Simpson, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, North Little Rock School District, North Little Rock.

43. Mary Smith, Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood, Lawrence County School District, Walnut Ridge.

44. Stefanie Smithey, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Osceola School District, Osceola.

45. Russell Stokes, English Language Arts/Adolescences and Young Adulthood, Jonesboro School District, Jonesboro.

46. Gia Taylor, Physical Education/Early and Middle Childhood, Greene County Tech School District, Paragould.

47. Penny Veal, Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood, Piggott School District, Piggott.

48. Brandi Wallace, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Riverside School District, Caraway.

49. Tonia Weatherford, English Language Arts/Adolescence and young Adulthood, Pulaski County Special School District, Sherwood.

50. Mindy Williams, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Mountain Home School District, Mountain Home.

51. Samantha Williams, Mathematics/ Early Adolescence, McCrary School District, McCrory.

52. Christie Wilson, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, West Memphis School District, West Memphis.

53. Marsha Winters, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, West Memphis School District, West Memphis.

54. Julie Wood, Generalist/Early Childhood, Harrisburg School District, Harrisburg.

55. April Wright, Generalist/Early Childhood, Jonesboro School District, Jonesboro.

56. Michael Wyatt, Mathematics/Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Brookland School District, Brookland.

      According to Dr. Howard, these teachers have demonstrated competencies that will enable them to have a more positive influence over their students and will tend to exert a positive influence on other teachers and school administrators. Dr. Howard encouraged everyone to join him in reaching out to extend congratulations to these special teachers with this meaningful and positive accomplishment.

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