Seven National Board Certifications Renewed in Dysart

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 02/01/2023

DYSART SCHOOLS - Boasting a total of 57 National Board Certified employees in the district, Dysart Schools had seven teachers renew their National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) certifications this year. The staff members were recognized on Thursday, January 26 with a special balloon delivery in celebration of their achievement.  

Dysart staff that received a renewal include: 

• Kara Ashford, K-3 Reading Interventionist at Mountain View School 
• Kami Bernard, District Curriculum Specialist 
• Cara Cosentino, Special Education Resource Teacher at Western Peaks Elementary School
• Melissa Daub, Science Teacher at Willow Canyon High School 
• Sheri Loyd, School Data Improvement Specialist at West Point Elementary School 
• Lisa Moberg, iExplore Lab Teacher at Sunset Hills Elementary School 
• Jackie Older, Teaching and Learning Specialist at Sunset Hills Elementary School 

National Board Certification is the highest certificate an educator can achieve in the United  States. Administered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Board certification is a rigorous and reflective process that requires teachers to showcase the National  Board Standards in their practice. Teachers often take up to three years of continual work to achieve certification. Research shows that students of NBCTs have improved learning outcomes, and only 3% of teachers nationwide achieve this certification.  

Since 1996, teachers throughout Arizona have been seeking and achieving National Board  Certification. The Arizona K12 Center provides support and resources for teachers to pursue  National Board Certification. Dysart supports staff members interested in the certification through cohort meetings and substitute coverage for two professional days for preparation, and offers a stipend equal to 5% of the base salary to teachers who are National Board Certified. According to the National Board, there are more than 128,000 NBCTs across the U.S. Learn more about National Board Certification at nbpts.org or azk12.org.