[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 29, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E748-E749]
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 NATIONAL BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL 
                           TEACHING STANDARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 29, 2018

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate educators of the 
Prince William

[[Page E749]]

County Public Schools Division 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, this 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 2017 National Board Certified Teachers for receiving their 
respective certifications and renewals: Erin Ball, Christy Beirnes, 
Elizabeth Bjork, Nancy Breckenridge, Dawn Breski, Angela Callaghan, 
Kimberly Carter, Jennifer Casey, Dina DaSilva, Cheryl Ellsmore, Diane 
Fernandez, Carl Hood, James Hunniford, Neta Lowe, Perpetua Magalhaes, 
Penny Mangus, Elizabeth McKeown, Minara Mollah, Melissa Morse, 
Christina Orr, Paul Johnson, Leanne Thomas.
  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.

                          ____________________