Gaston teachers earn national certification

Twelve teachers in Gaston County Schools have earned National Board Certification, the highest standard for the teaching profession. The newly-certified teachers were recognized during a reception on Feb. 6 at the Gaston County Schools Central Office in Gastonia.

“Achieving National Board Certification is a very difficult assessment process in which teachers examine and reflect on every aspect of their teaching methods and classroom management," said W. Jeffrey Booker, superintendent of schools. "National Board Certified Teachers not only strengthen the teaching profession, but they also help students to be successful and achieve at higher academic levels.”

Teachers earning National Board Certification must demonstrate their knowledge and skills through an extensive, year-long series of performance-based assessments. In Gaston County, more than 370 teachers have met the standards and achieved National Board Certification since the program began in 1996.

The following is a list of the 2018-2019 National Board Certified Teachers in Gaston County Schools:

Megan Christenbury, Lowell Elementary School: Christenbury is a first grade teacher and has been in education for 13 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in reading education from Appalachian State University. Her National Board Certification is for Generalist/Early Childhood.

Karen Coffey, McAdenville Elementary School: Coffey is a second grade teacher and has been in education for 25 years. She has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in education from East Carolina University. Her National Board Certification is for Generalist/Early Childhood.

Alexandra Fitschen, Lowell Elementary School: Fitschen is a fourth grade teacher and has been in education for seven years. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Appalachian State University. Her National Board Certification is for Generalist/Middle Childhood.

Carla Fletcher, Page Primary School: Fletcher is a first grade teacher and has been in education for 17 years. She has a master’s degree in the art of teaching. Her National Board Certification is for Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood.

Jaime Keller, North Belmont Elementary School: Keller is a second grade teacher and has been in education for six years. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Belmont Abbey College. Her National Board Certification is for Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood.

Victoria Kiser, Stuart W. Cramer High School: Kiser is a high school math teacher and has been in education for 12 years. She has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in math from UNC-Charlotte and a degree in secondary school administration from Gardner-Webb University. Her National Board Certification is for Mathematics/Adolescence and Young Adulthood.

Jennifer MacDonald, Stuart W. Cramer High School: MacDonald is a high school counselor and has been in education for 11 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and Spanish from Ohio University, and her master’s degree is in school counseling from Kent State University. Her National Board Certification is for School Counseling/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood.

Jennifer Melton, Brookside Elementary School: Melton is a literacy teacher serving first, second, and third grade students. She has been in education for 11 years. She has an associate degree from Gaston College, a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Belmont Abbey College, and a master’s degree in reading education from UNC-Charlotte. Her National Board Certification is for Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood.

Erin Morehead, Bessemer City Primary School: Morehead is a school counselor and has been in education for 13 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Appalachian State University, and her master’s degree is in school counseling from Gardner-Webb University. Her National Board Certification is for School Counseling/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood.

Ashley Rimmer, Ashbrook High School: Rimmer is a tenth grade English teacher and has been in education for six years. She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology, a graduate certificate in teaching, and a master’s degree in secondary education, all from UNC-Charlotte. Her National Board Certification is for English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood.

Justin Willyoung, Cherryville High School: Willyoung is a high school counselor and has been in education for 10 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in sport psychology and physical education from West Virginia University, and his master’s degree is in school counseling from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. His National Board Certification is for School Counseling/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood.

Samantha Wong, Carr Elementary School: Wong is a second grade teacher and has been in education for seven years. She has a bachelor’s degree in art history from Brevard College and a master’s degree in teaching from West Virginia University. Her National Board Certification is for Generalist/Early Childhood.