Seventeen teachers from eight schools in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools achieved their National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification in their fields during the 2007-08 certification cycle.

The teachers are:

•Bob Bedell, Jennifer Danilowicz, Donna Dodson and Michelle Roy from Phillips Middle School;

•Beth Bell from East Chapel Hill High School;

•Michael Bradley, Stephen Head, Angela Hill and David Moore from Chapel Hill High School;

•Cheri Ensby and Lisa Frangipane from Morris Grove Elementary School;

•Kitty Heller from Carrboro Elementary School;

•Eve Hudgins from Seawell Elementary School;

•Kristen Johnson, Kathryn Jordan-Pierce and Lisa Randby from Glenwood Elementary School;

•Heather Taxis from Scroggs Elementary School.

Also, Patrenia McDowell, the new assistant principal at McDougle Elementary School, earned her NBPTS certification.

In North Carolina, NBPTS certified teachers receive a 12 percent salary increase. The state also pays the assessment fee, as well as three days of paid release time and renewal credit for completing the portfolio portion of the process.

"National Board Certification is one of the highest recognitions that a teacher can attain," said Superintendent Neil G. Pedersen. "It is a sure sign that an educator is committed to best instructional practice and professional growth."

The district offers a support group each year for teachers who embark on the national certification process.

The current number of district teachers who hold national certification since the process began in 1996 is now 197.

North Carolina leads the country with 15 percent of its teachers certified, due in large part to the support provided by the General Assembly. There were 1,453 teachers who achieved their National Boards across the state in 07-08.

There are now more than 74,000 National Board certified teachers across the nation since the program started 21 years ago. See www.nbpts.org for informaton.