Greenbrier County Schools honored Greenbrier East High School Social Studies Instructor Jeffrey Owens for achieving distinction as a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) at the February meeting of the Greenbrier County Board of Education. National Board Certification is an advanced teaching credential. As part of this process teachers must analyze their teaching context and students’ needs, submit videos of their teaching, and provide student work samples that demonstrate growth and achievement. Through this process, teachers expand and refine their content knowledge and pedagogy. The outcome is more powerful teaching that improves student achievement and reflects college and career readiness. Owens said, “I found the NBCT certification process to be very challenging, yet rewarding. Two core propositions that stood out to me are the commitment to the students and their learning, and the teacher reflecting and learning from experience. These components are invaluable in all that an educator does on a daily basis. In addition, there are other standards and core propositions that promote student achievement and teacher education and involvement. I am very appreciative of the process and how it has made me a better educator.” For 2013, West Virginia ranks 20th in the number of teachers who attained certification this year. Greenbrier County Schools currently employs 18 National Board Certified teachers.
