Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/479293
SPRING 2015 | wyoea.org 13 Congratulations to WEA Members For Achieving National Board Certification In 2014, Wyoming had 83 teachers achieve National Board Certification. Wyoming experienced the largest growth out of all of the states, and 16 percent of our teachers now Board- certified. "These WEA members strive to be the best teacher- leaders in education in Wyoming, and bring a commitment to excellence in the classroom," said WEA President Kathy Vetter. "I am very proud of their dedication to the profession and the students of Wyoming." Research shows that students taught by Board- certified teachers consistently achieve higher gains in student achievement compared to peers who are not taught by Board-certified teachers, making learning gains equivalent to an extra one to two months in school. The mission of the National Board is to advance student learning and achievement by establishing the definitive standards and systems for certifying accomplished educators, providing programs and advocating policies that support excellence in teaching and leading, and engaging National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) and leaders in that process. The National Board seeks to elevate the status, voice, and role of accomplished teachers in shaping a true profession. Out of the 83 Wyoming teachers who received National Board Certification this year, 33 are WEA members: WEA Members Bring Students to Capitol During Session Many WEA members use the legislative session to generate interest in governance and politics. During the session, students from pre-K all the way to college-level visit the Capitol to get a taste of what happens on a day- to-day basis regarding Wyoming's government. WEA member and U.S. history teacher Josh Thompson brought students to Cheyenne during his inaugural visit to the legislative session, which occurred during his class's US Government and Constitution unit. His students met with Representative Jim Byrd in regards to his proposed legislation around the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana. Thompson said, "My own students had their first exposure to seeing government in action and the world as a classroom." Math teacher and new WEA member Sandra Shafer had her students visiting to establish a budget connection to personal finance. Member and science teacher Amanda Ellis visited to consider the conflicts between minerals and energy and conservation, as well as to participate in the discussion over the Next Generation Science Standards. Thompson said, "Quietly, I heard many students whispering to each other that they had no idea what the legislators were saying although they knew they were speaking English. To some of the students, it sounded like they were speaking a foreign language, which has provided a springboard for us as educators to talk about formal and informal language." Thompson said his students being able to see government happening has definitely elevated the thinking of all of them. JULIE LINDSTROM INGA CORINNE MCCOY GENTRY LEIGH OLIVER JENNIFER LYN PEHRINGER JOSHUA PETERSON ROBERT PETERSON ANNE MARIE PIEPER UNDERBRINK KRISTIE L REIMERS MICHELLE REISBECK ANGELA ROMANJENKO DEBORAH L. STAINBROOK SHAWN WILLIAM TROTTER BARBARA MARIE TWOMEY JESSICA LEIGH WINFORD VANESSA WORRELL CHRISTINE ZAKOTNIK HEATHER ANGLUND-WALTERS DAWN CHRISTINE BEAUDRIE MEGAN BICKLING DARLA BUSBOOM JOHN PATRICK CORBIN DONNA JO CRANDALL CINDY DUNHAM ZOE ANNE ERICKSON CASSIE MARIE GAMBLER JERI LYNN GONZALES CRYSTAL GRAF LORI JO HASTERT JENNIFER JONES SONJA DEE KARP MARLENE KRAMER MARY ANNE LABUDA ALENA MARIE LARSEN