Fifteen Henrico County public school teachers recently received certification from the National Professional Teaching Standards Board for the first time, while seven others have recertified. Board certification is considered the highest mark of achievement in the profession.

“This is one of the largest groups of new board-certified teachers the division has celebrated,” said Drew Baker of the HCPS Professional Learning and Leadership Department, which helps teachers mentor any throughout the process. “They deserve special recognition not only for earning one of the highest honors in education, but also for achieving their certification amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Becoming certified is a rigorous process. Teachers must submit detailed portfolios for peer review, including teacher candidate videos, documented professional accomplishments, reflective essays, and samples of student work. Each teacher must also pass an exam corresponding to his subject and his level of education.

The teachers will be recognized at a pinning ceremony in April, alongside teachers from the city of Richmond and Chesterfield, Hanover and Powhatan counties.

The newly certified Henrico County Public Schools teachers are:
• Melissa Guertin, Crestview ES
• Audra Vanderland, Crestview ES
• Jo Collier, Charles Johnson ES
• Janelle Madison, Charles Johnson ES
• Amanda Smallwood, Mehfoud ES
• Brittani Haverly, Raymond Pinchbeck ES
• Colleen Atilano, Sandston ES
• Allison Billet, Brookland MS
• DeVonna Blevins, Short Pump SP
• Brent Lederer, Deep Run HS
• Chris Marshall, Douglas Freeman HS
• Shana Katz, Glen Allen HS
• Adam Grayson, Glen Allen HS
• Lynn Farley, Mills Godwin HS
• Spencer Billett, Highland Springs HS

The Henrico teachers recognized for the renewal of their certification are:
• Maria DiSanto Carter, Elizabeth Holladay ES
• Heather Dedie, Holman MS
• Jenny Hubler, Hungary Creek MS
• Melissa Christine Daniels, Deep Run HS
• Karen Finch, JR Tucker HS
• S. Blair Astoria, Central Office
• Maggie Walsh, Central Office

The 15 newly certified teachers were supported through the process by HCPS educators who had already achieved certification. Mentors facilitated monthly cohort meetings and offered coaching to candidates. The facilitators were Megan Bouton from Echo Lake Elementary School, Anne-Marie Slinkman from JR Tucker High School, Diane Sharpe from Arthur Ashe Elementary School and Laura van Bylandt from Short Pump Middle School.