Connolly Celebrates Newest National Board Certified Teachers

Congratulations to ASPIRE Academy at Connolly ELA Teacher Kelsey Garner for being the newest Tempe Elementary Schools staff member to earn their National Board Certification. In addition to Garner's new certification, Connolly Middle School ELD Teacher Heather Roberts completed the requirements to maintain her certification. 

According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, National Board Certification (NBC) is a highly respected professional credential in education, designed to develop, retain, and recognize exceptional teachers across the country. The extensive certification process includes a content knowledge assessment as well as providing evidence of candidates meeting National Board Standards in their practice and in their impact on student learning over time.

Wood Elementary Literacy Coach Rachael de Fresart serves as the Candidate Support Provider for the District, supporting NBC candidates like Garner and Roberts through the certification process.

“When teachers pursue National Board Certification they go on a personal professional development journey where they become their own case study and get to challenge their practice against National Board Professional Standards,” de Fresart said. “It is an intense, but rewarding process. I know for myself it has helped me learn and grow as a professional, but most importantly, it has helped me stay connected to this rewarding profession.”

Tempe Elementary Schools currently employs 33 staff members across the District who have an active National Board Certification in their expertise, nine of which are National Board Certified Teachers. In conjunction with the District’s strategic plan goal to recruit and retain highly qualified staff committed to ongoing development, Tempe Elementary also provides financial incentive for teachers to obtain and maintain their NBC. In fact, a recent blog post from the Arizona K12 Center included Tempe Elementary Schools on the list of the top 10 Arizona public systems most financially invested in National Board Certification, with staff receiving a stipend of $5,000 annually as long as the certification is maintained.

Tempe Elementary continues to invest in staff to provide the best quality education and experiences to students. Congratulations again to Garner, Roberts, and the other NBC Teachers in the district for their ongoing pursuit of excellence.

About Tempe Elementary Schools
Tempe Elementary School comprises 22 small, neighborhood elementary and middle schools in Tempe, Arizona. We Tempe Elementary is committed to  providing a welcoming, achieving, eye-opening, and future-ready preschool - 8th grade education to free the boundless potential in each child - so they are fully prepared to embrace the opportunities of tomorrow and excel for a lifetime. Learn more about Tempe Elementary Schools.