Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

2/15/07

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn School District Board of Directors Honors Staff Members
Lynnea Brooks, John Harlor and Leah McIntyre

The Auburn School District board of directors will recognize Lynnea Brooks, John Harlor and Leah McIntyre for their outstanding service to the Auburn School District on Monday, February 26, at 7 p.m. in the board room at the James P. Fugate Administration Building.

For Terminal Park teachers Lynnea Brooks, John Harlor and Leah McIntyre, free time ended as they knew it about one year ago. Lynnea, a second grade teacher, John, a third grade teacher, and Leah, a fifth grade STEP teacher, decided to pursue their national board certification, a decision that changed them for the better—not only in their professional development, but also in the development of their students. Yet it was a magnanimous undertaking, demanding countless hours of studying, writing and reflecting. “Many times we wanted to quit, and if it wasn’t for the support we gave each other through the process, as well as the support and patience of our families, we probably would have,” concur Lynnea, John and Leah. But these three persevered, successfully earning their national board certification, an amazing feat considering only one out of two participants typically pass in the first go-round (currently the pass rate in Washington State is 50 percent; nationally the pass rate is 40 percent).

National board certification is a demanding professional development program for teachers. The certification process is a symbol of professional teaching excellence. Certification is optional to anyone with a baccalaureate degree and three years of classroom experience in either a public or private school, and it complements but does not replace state licensing. State licensing systems set entry-level standards for beginning teachers, while National Board Certification establishes advanced standards for experienced teachers. Participants must pass a rigorous, two-part assessment. Part one includes a portfolio of videotaped classroom teaching, lesson plans and student work samples to show the teacher’s impact on student learning. Part two requires demonstration of subject-area knowledge, classroom practices, curriculum design and student learning in a written assessment. The process typically takes one school year, which means teachers spend between 200-400 hours on average compiling their portfolio activities and studying for the written assessment. According to Lynnea, John and Leah, the process was more challenging than even their master’s programs. Lynnea now is an official Early Childhood Generalist (ECG) and John and Leah are Middle Childhood Generalists (MCG)—terms denoting their national board certification. In the certification process, there are also middle and high school emphases.

Lynnea, John and Leah were also involved in a larger study group consisting of 11 other teachers from the White River, Dieringer and Sumner school districts, as well as 3 facilitators—who were already board certified and mentored the team. “We met once a month with everyone, but it was really our constant daily communication that really helped us,” states the trio. While Lynnea, John and Leah will earn a $3,500 annual stipend and other benefits like being certified to teach in practically every state in the nation, taking on the challenge of the process was the main motivator. “I started out for financial reasons, but after I discovered what was required, I changed my motivation; it was really for the challenge,” states John. During the process, Lynnea focused her assessments on social studies, the arts and social skills, while John and Leah’s focus was social studies and social skills.

In November when Lynnea, John and Leah found out they had passed and earned certification, the three celebrated along with friends and family, and students and colleagues. “My kids clapped and cheered for me; it was really cute,” says Lynnea. Leah remembers some of the e-mails she received from the parents of her students, “I got so many positive strokes for earning my certification.” John had a somewhat different experience. “I was the backstage manager at the Auburn Avenue Theater over the holidays and before one of the performances someone announced my accomplishment and everyone began clapping for me, but because I was backstage I could hear people clapping but I didn’t know for what until people came backstage after the show to congratulate me.”

As for the students, Lynnea, John and Leah have all witnessed the amazing impact their yearlong certification process has had in the classroom. “My instruction is so much more thoughtful now. Everything I do has a reason and a purpose,” remarks John. According to Lynnea, “The process brought back some of my educational experiences to my current teaching practices. Now I make my curriculum fit my students instead of making my students fit my curriculum.”

Now that the trio has a bit more free time, they look to enjoy it with their families. “It’s a relief to have it over with, but we’re so glad we persevered,” says Lynnea, John and Leah. As for the next challenge, all three teachers plan to pursue future learning opportunities. “We’re all lifelong learners; we’re always looking for a challenge because we learn more,” says Leah. “We hope to see more nationally board certified teachers in our district. It is so beneficial to our performance and the success of the kids.”

For more information contact Amy Spence, public information officer, at (253) 931-4713.