[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 34 (Monday, February 27, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E232-E233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS ON OBTAINING 
     CERTIFICATIONS AND RENEWALS FROM THE 2016 NATIONAL BOARD FOR 
                    PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STANDARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 27, 2017

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Prince William 
County Public

[[Page E233]]

School Division and congratulate the following educators on obtaining 
certification or recertification by the National Board for Professional 
Teaching Standards. Founded in 1987, the National Board was established 
by teachers for teachers as the premier vehicle for defining and 
recognizing accomplished educators. Today, the independent nonprofit 
organization remains dedicated to supporting excellence in education 
and is governed by classroom teachers, school administrators, school 
board leaders, governors and state legislators, higher education 
officials, teacher union leaders, and business and community leaders.
   A National Board Certification denotes the most respected 
professional certification available in the education field. Obtaining 
certification and completing the renewal process is a personal and 
public statement of one's commitment to the evolution of effective 
instruction methods. In order to obtain the distinction, teachers must 
display a mastering of the standards established by the National Board 
by successfully completing a rigorous multicomponent assessment that 
demonstrates that he or she has acquired the knowledge, skills, and 
practices required of an accomplished educator. Certified educators 
support a vision of teaching based on the following five core 
propositions:
  1. Teachers are committed to students and their learning;
  2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those 
subjects to students;
  3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student 
learning;
  4. Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from 
experience; and
  5. Teachers are members of learning communities.
  I extend my personal congratulations and appreciation to the 
following 2016 National Board Certified Teachers for receiving their 
respective certifications and renewals:

       Schenell Agee--Library Media Programs and Research
       Alise Brooks--Dale City Elementary School
       James Carroll--Freedom High School
       Melissa Dembele--Featherstone Elementary School
       Elise Dutton--Benton Middle School
       Rhonda Ellington--Mullen Elementary School
       Christy Katsourakis--Enterprise Elementary School
       Lauren Mack--T. Clay Wood Elementary School
       Karisa Marcy--Piney Branch Elementary School
       Christine Petrus--Haymarket Elementary School
       Jennifer Roberts--Patriot High School
       Carey Shenal--Stonewall Jackson High School

  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending these 
teachers for their commitment to education, professional development, 
and the students of Prince William County Public Schools. The world-
class education provided to our students is due to the tireless efforts 
of teachers who make excellence the standard and I thank them for their 
invaluable contributions.

                          ____________________