Braxton’s Melissa Duckworth Honored
The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) recognized 134 West Virginia educators as part of the annual National Board Certification (NBC) Recognition Celebration inc. including Braxton County’s Melissa Duckworth. The ceremony was held at the West Virginia Culture Center this evening and honored 46 new National Board-Certified Teachers (NBCTs) and 88 teachers across West Virginia who maintained their certification in the class of 2023.
Educators can earn this voluntary, advanced teaching credential by completing an intense and rigorous process that can take three years to complete. Candidates must master four components of content knowledge, differentiation in instruction, teaching practice and learning environment and effective/reflective practice to be certified. The NBC is recognized across the country as an achievement beyond the necessary state licensure. Research has shown that an NBCT in the classroom has a greater impact on student learning, especially among low-income students.
“National Board-Certified Teachers exemplify the ideas of continuous learning and development in the profession. Their dedication to education and their students provide credence to academic achievement,” said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. “Our NBCTs are committed to excellence and cultivating a foundation for a successful future.”
West Virginia ranks 14th in the country for the percentage of NBCTs and 17th for the number of newly certified teachers. Currently, there are a total of 1,218 NBCTs that have been certified in the Mountain State. In addition to an annual $3,500 salary supplement provided by the WVDE through a legislative line item, most counties also support NBCTs with additional salary enhancements. WVDE provides mentors to assist those pursuing NBC, and it also reimburses the fees associated with the application process.
