Three Lincoln Public Schools teachers, and one former LPS teacher, achieved National Board Certification in 2008.

National Board Certification - presented by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards - is a voluntary assessment program designed to recognize and reward accomplished teachers. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, NBCTs have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices.

Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. As part of the process, teachers build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, video recordings and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. Additionally, teachers are assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach.

National Board Certified Teachers represent about 2 percent of the nation's teaching population: 70 in Nebraska and 21 at LPS.

LPS teachers who achieved certification in 2008 are:

* Darla Berks, a mathematics teacher at Scott Middle School, certification in Mathematics/Early Adolescence

* Amy Baxter, third grade teacher at Adams Elementary School, certification in Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and MiddleChildhood

* Julie Kirchhoff, fourth grade teacher at Randolph Elementary School, certification in Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood

* Amy Catherine Rauch, a former LPS teacher who now works for the Papillion-La Vista Public School District, certification in Art/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood

The highly respected National Research Council of the National Academies recently release a report that found National Board Certification has a positive impact on teacher retention and professional development.

"National Board Certification is a sound investment, a proven education reform movement that has taken the culture of teaching to a higher level," said Joseph A. Aguerrebere, NBPTS president and CEO.