Four teachers in the Sequim School District earned Nationally Board Certification in 2014.

They are Shannon Paselk, Sequim Middle School sixth-grade teacher; Isaac Rapelje, Sequim High School chemistry/integrated science teacher; Linsay Rapelje, Sequim High School librarian; and Jorn VanDeWeghe, Sequim High School math teacher.

The Sequim School District currently has 28 teachers on staff with national board certification status.

“Achieving National Board Certification is an incredible accomplishment and is a testament to the dedication and commitment our teachers have to their profession,” Sequim schools superintendent Kelly Shea said.

National Board Certification is an advanced teaching credential. As part of the certification process, candidates complete 10 assessments that are reviewed by other teachers. Candidates must create four portfolio entries that feature teaching practices, including video recordings and samples of student work.

Candidates must complete six constructed response exercises that demonstrate content knowledge in each candidate’s chosen certificate area.

Portfolios are submitted by the end of March while the constructed response exercises are taken in mid-April.

Candidates then wait until October to hear results from the National Board.

“The most difficult part of the process was finding the time to do the National Board work while also teaching,” Isaac Rapelje said.

VanDeWeghe noted, “Having the opportunity to take a couple of lessons and really analyze them in depth was very helpful. Reflecting is one very important component of teaching that is often neglected because we are so busy.”

Linsay Rapelje said that watching herself teach and then reflecting and learning from that process was the most beneficial aspect of achieving the certification.

“I liken it to learning how to be a better shooter in basketball,” she said. “If I want to be a good shooter, I need to watch my actual form on video and make adjustments and practice those to become better. That is what National Boards is intended to do: make us better teachers.”

For more information about National Board Certification program, visit the website at www.nbpts.org.